82 | Rico Lewis - 2025/26

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His own words after the game, with a smile on his face when asked about being picked in midfield; ‘yeah, I’m always happy when I play there and the manager knows that. Yeah, really happy, and I think that’s where I effect the game the most. And when I’m playing football and I’m happy, there’s no better feeling!’.

I never felt like he looked like a right back, but he does look like a natural midfielder. He makes good runs into the box like he naturally understands the role, he’s calm on the ball in tight areas and is excellent at playing progressive forward passes (something many of our older and more experienced players need to be more confident in doing because a few of them don’t do it enough).

Pep’s words on Rico; ‘I love that player. These types of players, I adore them!’.

He’s signed a new contract and hopefully he can continue to grow as a squad midfielder over the years and maybe by the time he’s in his prime (26-29) he could be one of the important starting midfielders with positive effective play helping us win titles.

 

[Mancini’s Pastilles]

Imo hes a 10. Id love to see pep try 3 10s behind haaland. Foden Cherki Lewis

 

[domalino]

Just want to add that he's not slow. Sometimes he looks slow at RB, but I think that's 40% positioning in a role he's still learning and 40% being in 1v1's vs usually the fastest player the opposition have and 20% playing in a high line defence with little to no protection from his winger.

Look at his goal for the u21s or the assist yesterday and he's got more than enough pace to burst past 3/4 players in midfield/attacking areas.

 

[citytill1die84]

Played well last night. Hopefully Pep has realised he's not a RB :-)

 

[KS55]

Yep there’s no possible way a healthy young man can get stronger. And there’s never been a great player under 5’10.

That Messi bloke was 6ft 4, y’know.
See also: Cafu 5/9, Modric 5/6, Iniesta 5/7, Maradona 5/5, Baggio 5/9.
Messi is 5/7.
Oh, and a certain Bobby Johnstone was 5/7.

 

[Man_City_Loyal]

played well last night, TNT Sports also spoke very highly of him

 

[mattcity5]

Found these comments from Pep interesting, showing there are games that he feels Rico is ideal for others that he is not. Hopefully he develops so there is less risk in the less suitable games, but at the moment we need to trust that Pep picks him for the right types of matches.

 

[JewelZee]

That Messi bloke was 6ft 4, y’know.
See also: Cafu 5/9, Modric 5/6, Iniesta 5/7, Maradona 5/5, Baggio 5/9.
Messi is 5/7.

How about one Pele. Xavi, Pirlo, Aguero, Del Piero, D. Silva, Roberto Carlos, Cannavaro, Gerd Muller. We could go on all day...

 

[supercity88]

I thought he was excellent last night. Considering we had Stones pushed up alongside Nico, which seems to be what Pep wants to do in Europe, Rico was always an outlet in attack looking to run ahead of Savinho and was also working hard to get back and help the defence.

He has the skill and energy to be a box to box midfielder, carries the ball with pace and is very composed. He scored a good goal for the U21s last week, driving with the ball and slotting it home from the edge of the box.

A great assist and an excellent performance.

Like many, there's a time and a place for him which is what we need. A well rounded squad that can play different ways in order to beat the opposition.

 

[K-Bo]

I'm a high ranking member of the rico lewis haters society, absolutely class last night. Very similar to the forest game in the FA Cup.

I still think he should probably be sold due to the overload in that area of the pitch and his physical limitations, but he has his qualities and is very sharp around the box. Not his first assist to haaland that.

 

[nico04]

Rico Lewis is a better option in that number 8 posistion than Bernardo, Tijjani and Kovacic and I bet Erling prefers to play infront of him. He deserves more playing time.

 

[AshtonBlueMooner]

Great game Rico. Keep on learning and improving young man. A good reliable squad player and with maturity and experience who knows how good he’ll be in the future. Great for his confidence last night too.
Well done.

 

[Kippax Street 1880]

Basically a Mancunian Sergio Roberto, which is both a compliment and damning with faint praise. He's a useful squad member for sure, and he's one of our own which counts for a lot. Not sure he has the special quality to ever be a regular starter in the biggest games.

 

[Dax777]

Rico Lewis is a better option in that number 8 posistion than Bernardo, Tijjani and Kovacic and I bet Erling prefers to play infront of him. He deserves more playing time.

High praise for an intelligent player who has been underrated.

As President of his fan club, i cannot disapprove this message :)

 

[Dax777]

Since the exit of King Kev, Rico Lewis is now probably the smartest player on the squad. Only Rodri, Haaland and Donnarumma are close. And all 3 are World Class at their position....

Make of that what you want ...

 

[eastmanc]

played well last night, TNT Sports also spoke very highly of him

He did.

 

[eastmanc]

Still only 20 and that was his hundredth appearance. No mean feat.

 

[pbueno16]

His future has to be in the midfield. Lot of concern over where our creativity was going to come from yesterday, but Rico was involved in most of our high chance opportunities.

 

[leighton]

A lot of our players future has to be in midfield long term. Look at Nico O Reilly too. He has been great left back but is a natural midfielder. Rico last night was good on the ball and says it all that his timing of the runs was spot on. Overall play was positive. We got so many options there. Best performance from Rico this season.

 

[doobyedoobye]

20 years old, still learning and versatile