Man City manager Pep Guardiola Promise his Best player of The Season He Train

Following Rico Lewis’ spectacular performance in Wednesday night’s Champions League triumph over RB Leipzig, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola showered the teenager with praise, calling him one of the best players he has ever taught.

When Lewis, 18, first joined the City first team last year, he primarily played as a right back, but against Leipzig, he was paired up in center midfield with fellow Academy graduate Phil Foden.

After Lois Openda’s early second-half strike cancelled out Foden’s first-half goal, City won the game 3-1 thanks to late goals from Julian Alvarez and Jeremy Doku.

Guardiola, the City manager, was most impressed by Lewis’ performance, and he vowed that the youngster will have plenty more opportunities this year.

“What a player. What a player,” Guardiola said. “Eighteen years old. I have been a manager for 14, 15 years training unbelievable players.

“To find a player like him playing in the pockets, how he has to move in holding midfield, full-back coming inside moving in the spaces – he is one of the best I ever trained by far.

“He is a humble guy, doesn’t talk much, but has the appreciation of all his mates.

“He didn’t play much this season. Last season he was a key point and helped us understand what we should do in our build-up. Today was proof again. This season he hasn’t played as much but he is going to play a lot.”

Lewis made his first impression on Guardiola during the 2022/23 pre-season after the Spaniard was made aware of his talents by coach Carlos Vicens. After impressing in a friendly against Bayern Munich, Lewis was integrated into the senior squad and went on to make 23 appearances in all competitions last season.

Opportunities have been harder to come by so far this season, with Wednesday’s match at Leipzig only his third start having played the full 90 minutes in the opening Premier League game at Burnley and against Newcastle United in the League Cup third round.

“His composure from day one is always surprising. I didn’t even consider bringing him on pre-season the previous one,” Guardiola said.

“Carlos Vicens said ‘maybe you can bring Rico’. Because he can play right-back, left-back, I didn’t know him.

He then started at right-back against Bayern Munich, and I thought, “Wow, this guy is good!” Then he began working out with us, and I thought, “Oh, this guy is good!”

“The most difficult position to play is inside, where you have to be 360 degrees aware of your surroundings and receive passes from all directions. All a center defender sees is what is directly in front of them, said Guardiola.

He has a lot of potential, which is hard to come by because he trained so well at the Academy.

“I’m thrilled for him. He is deserving of every accolade we and the media can bestow.

Lewis’ long-term value to City was highlighted in August when he agreed to a new five-year contract, and Guardiola claimed the kid already enjoys the confidence of his teammates.

He is a skilled member of the team. The most crucial moment for a player is when they earn the respect of their teammates, according to Guardiola.

“You are in heaven when your teammates can count on you on the field. By far, this is the most crucial factor.

The athletes are not naive. On the field, they can smell everything. They are aware of who they can trust on the field, and that person is him.