Pep Guardiola names surprising player that can play in EVERY position

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was full of praise for young full-back Rico Lewis for his versatility as well as his intelligence.

Pep Guardiola names surprising player that can play in EVERY position

Pep Guardiola praised youngster Rico Lewis for his ability to play in different positions. (via GOAL)

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola heaped praises on young full-back Rico Lewis, claiming that the player has the ability to play in any position in the starting XI. The 19-year-old has become the Spaniard manager’s go-to player in the defense as well as the midfield.

Rico Lewis has started almost each of Manchester City’s fixtures this season, and has become a pivotal part of the team. Traditionally a right-back, he has been able to overtake even the skipper and experienced right-back Kyle Walker, for a place in the starting XI. Moreover, his ability to also perform well in the defensive midfield position and fill in for Rodri during his absence from the squad, provides Lewis with an advantage and also solidifies his role under manager Pep Guardiola.

YouTube video

The former Barcelona manager, during his pre-match press conference ahead of their all important clash against Arsenal, spoke out in favor of the youngster. He praised the young Englishman for his overall development and future prospects, as well as his impressive positional intelligence. The manager also highlighted Lewis’ brilliance during City’s matches against Inter Milan and Chelsea this season, where the player featured in the midfield, as well as noted that he deserves the opportunities. 

He can play in every position, he is so smart. Rico plays football. If you put him in one position, he knows exactly what he has to do. He's so intelligent.
Pep Guardiola said at the press conference

However, Guardiola humorously pointed out one fallacy that the young defender has, which is his low height, something which Lewis solves with his defensive skills and aggressiveness. The full-back has also expressed his desire to play in a more advanced position in the future.

Pep Guardiola claims critics want Manchester City wiped ‘off the face of the Earth’

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola shockingly claimed that the team’s critics wanted the club to be ‘wiped off the face of Earth’. This he regarded was related to the 115 allegations of financial irregularities and breaches, that the club has been charged with, between 2009 and 2018.

Pep Guardiola 115 charges
Pep Guardiola claimed that rival teams wanted Manchester City to be wiped off earth, owing to 115 financial charges. (via Football London)

The club has strongly denied all the charges and are embroiled in a judicial investigation, that began last week. While addressing questions regarding the club’s charges, Guardiola stated that City’s rivals have been desperate to see the club being punished harshly. He also stated that the reigning champions have been performing well over their rivals, since the last few seasons.

I want to defend my club, especially in these modern days when everyone is expecting us not [only] to be relegated, to be disappeared off the face of the Earth, the world.
Pep Guardiola to reporters (H/T: BBC)

Manchester City have won five Premier League titles over the past few years, four of them in a row. In case the court finds them guilty, they could be expelled from the EPL and could be stripped off their titles, due to the charges.