Manchester City academy graduate Rico Lewis turned in an impressive performance against Villarreal as he was handed a rare chance in midfield.
Rico Lewis
Rico Lewis was impressive in a midfield role against Villarreal
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Rico Lewis wants to play more often in midfield after being handed a chance to impress in a central role during Manchester City's Champions League success against Villarreal.
The 20-year-old set up Erling Haaland for the opener in the 2-0 win at El Madrigal and turned in a classy display in the centre of the pitch at El Madrigal.
Lewis has been on the fringes of the City side since the first weekend of the season and his only start since then until Tuesday night was in a much-changed Carabao Cup win at Huddersfield.
But the academy graduate took his chance in Spain and having played right-back at the start of the season, he was delighted to get a chance in his preferred role and said he believes he offers more in that role.
"I'm always happy when I play there and the manager knows that," said Lewis. "I’m really happy. I think it’s where I affect the game the most and when I'm playing when I'm happy there’s no better feeling."
Lewis produced a low cross for Haaland to score the first goal against the La Liga side as the Norwegian found the back of the net for a 12th game in a row for club and country.
He now has 24 goals in 14 games this season and Lewis said he offers so much more to the team by being able to occupy defenders.
"It’s amazing," he said. "To play with him in the team it helps more than you think, he draws so many defenders which frees up other players and then when those people are free that frees himself up, so it’s impossible to defend.
"Credit to him, he's such a hardworker, he never stops wanting to score and you can see that."
The win in Spain made it nine unbeaten for City and Lewis said the belief is beginning to return to the squad.
"We've got our confidence back, that’s the main thing, when you’re playing with confidence there's nothing to stop you but yourself," he said. "Everyone trusts each other, we all want the ball."
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