Manchester Metropolis strengthened their credentials for the Champions League after beating Sevilla 3-1 of their closing group recreation. The membership now await the outcomes of the Spherical of 16 draw that can happen on November 7 (Monday). And one participant who caught the attention within the match was 17-year-old Rico Lewis. The best-back was making his second Champions League look and marked the event with a well-taken aim.
Rico Lewis’ spectacular performances come when the crew is mild within the right-back place following Kyle Walker’s damage. His rise additionally exhibits the energy of the Metropolis’s youth system. The truth is, in opposition to Sevilla, the beginning 11 included Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, and Lewis, all of whom got here via the academy.
His rise has been unbelievable. You’re probably the greatest younger gamers if Metropolis think about you for his or her beginning XI at 17. Manchester Metropolis have already got a powerful deputy at left-back in Sergio Gomez and would like it if Lewis may replicate him on the opposite flank.
So, who’s Rico Lewis, and the way good is he?
How good is Rico Lewis?
Rico Mark Lewis was born on November 21, 2004, in Bury, England and similar to Palmer and Foden began his footballing profession at Metropolis. He joined the academy aged eight and has stayed on the membership ever since. Lewis made him via the assorted youth ranges however first got here into the highlight when he made his debut for Metropolis’s under-18 crew in September 2020, aged 15.
Lewis would make 4 appearances earlier than changing into an integral a part of the crew the next season. He was named captain and would make 21 appearances within the league scoring three objectives and offering two assists within the league. Metropolis would win the league by scoring essentially the most and conceding the least objectives.
His efficiency wouldn’t go unnoticed, as he was invited to a number of coaching classes with the primary crew. Whereas earlier, it was anticipated that he wouldn’t be referred to as to the primary crew for an additional season, Kyle Walker’s damage modified all that. Because of this, Joao Cancelo needed to play right-back, not his pure place, which was evident in his performances in opposition to Liverpool. Even John Stones had deputised in Walker’s absence on the proper flank.
With Lewis’ rise, Guardiola now has an possibility no less than for cup matches and league video games in opposition to weaker rivals. Whereas he could also be sparsely used this season, the expertise he’ll accumulate will turn out to be useful subsequent season when Metropolis have two sensible choices on the right-back place.
Other than Premier League and Champions League, Lewis has additionally made six appearances in Premier League 2 and has one aim to his title.
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Rico Lewis stats
Rico Lewis was spectacular within the 2021-22 under-18 season. His three objectives had been the best by any right-back. Lewis has made fast strides within the UEFA Youth League, with one aim and one help to his title. It’s arduous to search out stats for the under-18, however the truth that he has been given a crack on the first crew after only one season exhibits his expertise.
Within the match in opposition to Sevilla, Lewis was excellent. The Englishman performed for 85 minutes, recording one aim, a cross accuracy of 90.7 per cent, one likelihood created, 100 per cent tackles gained and dribbles gained. That is a powerful begin coming in opposition to a crew that is without doubt one of the greatest in continental tournaments.
And with the beginning that he has had, his stats will solely get higher as he will get extra time.
Rico Lewis, making 𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘! ⚡️
Youngest participant ever within the #UCL to attain on his first begin 👊 pic.twitter.com/EV3zTyvwJi
— Manchester Metropolis (@ManCity) November 3, 2022
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Rico Lewis positioning and elegance of play
Since Pep Guardiola arrived on the membership, there was a brand new technique at golf equipment the place the youth groups play an identical model. That is executed to make sure that the gamers can rapidly acclimate to the primary crew if promoted. And Rico Lewis appears to be the proper beneficiary of that system.
Like Walker, Lewis is exceptionally expert on the ball and may play himself out of the opposition’s excessive press. His beautiful passing vary additionally is useful when he has to tuck within the midfield moreover the defensive midfielder.
Lewis likes to enterprise ahead on the wings to create overloads and stretch the opposition’s form. His aim in opposition to Sevilla got here exactly from this part of play as Lewis discovered himself unmarked on the right-hand aspect and slotted the ball previous Yassine Bounou.
First begin, first aim for Rico Lewis in Champions League. One other expertise coming from Man Metropolis Academy. ⭐️ #MCFC
Born in 2004, Lewis’ present deal will expire in June 2025 — been instructed Man Metropolis are planning new contract bid to increase the settlement. #UCL pic.twitter.com/MswD6NC2Yi
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 2, 2022
And he’s additionally extra developed defensively, a trait which can massively assist him sooner or later. Nonetheless, one space the place he may enhance is his positioning. As a result of his attacking philosophy, he again and again leaves house behind, which might make the crew weak to counterattacks.
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Rico Lewis switch information
Rico Lewis is an excellent expertise with a shiny future forward of him. Nonetheless, snatching him away from Metropolis’s grip will probably be difficult. Certain, gamers like Jadon Sancho have left the membership looking for greener pastures. Nonetheless, it was as a result of there was fierce competitors for an attacking spot.
Nonetheless, for Rico Lewis, the benefit is that, barring Kyle Walker, there isn’t any pure right-back on the membership. With the performances Lewis has proven come subsequent season, Metropolis won’t have to shell out cash for a defender.
Metropolis within the Champions League threw Rico Lewis right into a sink-or-swim scenario, and the Englishman proved he’s a implausible swimmer.