After being used sparingly so far this season, Rico Lewis put in a performance he needed for his confidence for Manchester City in their 10-1 win over Exeter City, Lewis bagged a brace, and his overall performance was superb. It was pleasing to see Lewis play well after spending most of this season on the periphery of proceedings. Heading into Manchester City’s Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg tie against Newcastle, Pep Guardiola has once again expressed his admiration for Lewis as a player. Following Pep Guardiola’s comments, a question arose: What is the best role and position for Rico Lewis in this City squad?
Pep Guardiola has once again expressed his admiration of Rico Lewis as a player.
Speaking ahead of Manchester City’s Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg tie against Newcastle, Pep Guardiola said that Rico Lewis is a midfielder, and once again Guardiola shared how much he loves Lewis as a player. Guardiola told the media: “*He’s (Rico Lewis) a midfield player. He is not a player to play right-back up and down [the touchline].*“ He likes to do it but when opponents allow you to go to pockets, he is just extraordinary. *Extraordinary. Always, he’s free and is in the right spot, arriving in the box and has an ability to score goals. He always in the right spot, which is not easy to find small spaces. When the opponent allows you to do that, he’s just extraordinary.*”
“*Always I have the feeling he should play more. He knows. I’d say it is weird to say because he didn’t play much lately, but I am a big admirer of Rico. I’m completely in love for the way he moves and the way I like to play football.*”
Where does Rico Lewis fit in this current Manchester City squad?
I’ve always felt that Rico Lewis has an important role at Manchester City. This season, he is more of a squad player as he has made seventeen appearances in all competitions, playing in a variety of roles. That may be Lewis’ lot this season. But looking ahead to next season and beyond, what is the best role for Rico Lewis? Lewis signed a long-term contract extension at the beginning of this season, so it is clear that he is in Manchester City’s plans for the future.
But where and how does he become a more prominent player at City? As Pep Guardiola said, Rico Lewis does his best work in midfield. His technical and tactical ability suits playing in a midfield role. Perhaps he can play there more prominently next season if Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic leave City as expected in the summer. Perhaps Rico Lewis can step into the Bernardo Silva role, given the apprenticeship Lewis has served at City. Perhaps that is where his future lies at the Etihad.
Pep Guardiola has once again lavished praise on Rico Lewis as a player. Lewis does have all the necessary technical and tactical ability to be a fine player for Manchester City for years to come. The issue is, how does Lewis become more than a squad player? Perhaps he needs to be patient and wait for players to leave next summer for an opening to be created for Lewis to walk through.