Rico Lewis remains a “useful” player for Manchester City and Pep Guardiola’s side have “no choice” but to keep hold of him this summer, Citizens expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany has told Sports Mole.
Lewis has recently been the subject of interest from fellow Premier League side Nottingham Forest, who have allegedly **‘launched a surprise swoop’**for the 20-year-old after signing midfielder James McAtee from Man City last weekend.
It has been suggested that the Citizens would be open to allowing Lewis to leave if an offer in excess of £30m came in, as they have not been able to finalise terms with the versatile youngster over a new contract, with his current deal due to run out in June 2028.
However, Lewis has made it clear that he would like to stay at the Etihad Stadium and the academy graduate - who joined City at the age of eight - has “never ever” seen himself representing a different club.
The possibility of Lewis leaving Man City before the September 1 transfer deadline has not been entirely ruled out by Guardiola, though, who has suggested that there are no guarantees during a summer of change as he seeks to trim his squad further in the next couple of weeks.
Considering that Man City have failed to sign a “viable” right-back replacement for Kyle Walker this summer and currently have issues with their homegrown quota status, McInerney believes that Lewis should stay at the club.
Manchester City's Rico Lewis on August 16, 2025
Lewis “satisfied” with Guardiola role at Man City despite transfer rumours
“The opinion on Lewis is relatively divided among City fans, but I think most appreciate that he’s a very smart footballer,” McInerney told Sports Mole. “He’s obviously got an immense love for the club. He’s been here since he was a child, he’s living his dream and I don’t really know who else we could get right now (as a replacement).
“I think City have scoured the market and have decided that the options aren’t really viable... we can't really go overseas because we haven't got any non-homegrown player spots in the squad, so we won't be able to register anyone that's a foreign player. Essentially, we've got no choice but to keep Rico.
“If he wants to go, City probably will accept a decent bid, but I think Rico was probably satisfied by how Guardiola's used him in the build-up to the season."
McInerney has acknowledged that Lewis lacks the physical presence of other Premier League defenders, but he still believes that “there is a role” for the youngster in certain games where City are not up against quick and powerful wingers.
“I think he was going to play a fair bit at the Club World Cup until that unfortunate red card, and I think he started in the Wolves game on merit,” said McInerney. “He showed just how useful he is in a City side that plays like this.
“Last season, the football was far too stagnant for him to excel and we were far too exposed physically. Teams were aggressive on the break against us and his lack of physicality was sort of exposed.
“I think in the team that wasn't playing good football as well, he didn't have the movement around him. Rico Lewis is at his best when everyone's buzzing about and the positional interchange is really good. If that's not there, he's sort of ineffective as well as not really being effective physically. He just looks a little bit lost.
Manchester City's Rico Lewis on August 16, 2025
“The more Man City fans we have in the squad the better”
“He still obviously has physical issues because he's just a really small lad, unfortunately, for him which does affect his career a little bit, but when City are playing football like this, he's one of the best. He really is. His movement is insane.
“Knowing to make that run for the first goal (that Lewis assisted for Erling Haaland to score) and his little give and goes with people. He links up so nicely and so naturally with Oscar Bobb. He's a really smart footballer, and there is a role for him in games like this.”
McInerney added: “I think he might struggle against the paciest, biggest wingers and if we were penned in, I'd understand why you'd want to see someone else there, but Rico is very talented.
“Three inches taller and he's Manchester City's number one right-back, unquestionably. He starts every single game and he's probably plays regularly for England.
“I guess if you build the right circumstances around him, allow for his lack of physicality, then he's a really good player.
“I think it's good that he’s staying personally and I think the more City fans we have in the squad anyway the better, because I think it does make a difference when the players that you have support your own side, and Rico does.”
> Click this link to view and listen to the full discussion
ID:579575:1false2false3false: from db desktop :LenBod:collect7440: