Liking a player is one thing but at some point there has to be some reality. Putting Rico in the same sentence as Lahm and Alves is ridiculous, sorry. They were generational talents. The odds of Rico becoming a right sided version of NOR are probably next to zero. His best bet at long term success is as an all action 8 which would require him to become a more proactive player going forward. Here's to hoping he can.
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82 | Rico Lewis - 2025/26
- Thread starter BlueDejong
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Jonas.shaffer
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Well, what'd he say?From his comments
Wh can't he be an all action Right back? The comparison to Lahm or Alves isn't to imply he is as good. Bit rather to point out that his size isn't uniquely unusual.Liking a player is one thing but at some point there has to be some reality. Putting Rico in the same sentence as Lahm and Alves is ridiculous, sorry. They were generational talents. The odds of Rico becoming a right sided version of NOR are probably next to zero. His best bet at long term success is as an all action 8 which would require him to become a more proactive player going forward. Here's to hoping he can.
Some quotes from his interview:Well, what'd he sa
- I'm always happy when I play there! The manager knows that. Really happy; I think that's where I affect the game the most."
- "I like playing midfield, being part of the game more but I'm happy to play wherever as long as I can help and contribute."
- "I think I am most effective in MIDFIELD in the small areas and tight spaces where we can draw players in and then give it to the attackers with more time and more space. I just enjoy having CONTROL of the game, having the ball and just fully IN CONTROL OF THE OPPONENT!"
- "That's my favourite position I think, even [more than] coming inside from full back. I think playing a bit higher up then... defending as a two with Rodri is my favourite role."
Kippax Street 1880
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Wh can't he be an all action Right back? The comparison to Lahm or Alves isn't to imply he is as good. Bit rather to point out that his size isn't uniquely unusual.
Alves and Lahm were way way more athletically gifted than Rico. Not even in the same ballpark. He is very good technically though, and when the team is firing on all cylinders he can be slotted in to give people a rest in multiple positions and look good.
If you remember a Barca player from a couple of years ago called Sergi Roberto, Rico is basically our version of him. If he can have a similar career at City he'll have done well.
Because he doesn't have the pace, has poor spatial recognition, and won't win aerial duels for starters. So the comparison to Lahm and Alves was a line from a Hotels.com advert uttered by Captain Obvious?Wh can't he be an all action Right back? The comparison to Lahm or Alves isn't to imply he is as good. Bit rather to point out that his size isn't uniquely unusual.
Very good comparison :)Alves and Lahm were way way more athletically gifted than Rico. Not even in the same ballpark. He is very good technically though, and when the team is firing on all cylinders he can be slotted in to give people a rest in multiple positions and look good.
If you remember a Barca player from a couple of years ago called Sergi Roberto, Rico is basically our version of him. If he can have a similar career at City he'll have done well.
Pace, and height I'll concede. Spatial awareness? No way He is fantastic at it.Because he doesn't have the pace, has poor spatial recognition, and won't win aerial duels for starters. So the comparison to Lahm and Alves was a line from a Hotels.com advert uttered by Captain Obvious?
For me, often times he is not aware of his surroundings defensively. Leaving a man behind,or someone making a run behind him, and so on. He is better with spatial awareness in midfield, but defensively always suspect, IMO.Pace, and height I'll concede. Spatial awareness? No way He is fantastic at it.
Obviously it's all a matter of opinion, though.
I think people often mistake a faster player outrunning him on a counter for lacking spatial awareness.For me, often times he is not aware of his surroundings defensively. Leaving a man behind,or someone making a run behind him, and so on. He is better with spatial awareness in midfield, but defensively always suspect, IMO.
Obviously it's all a matter of opinion, though.
The way you know he is spatially fantastic, is to note how often his man is always the one caught offside. And how few rimes he is the one who keeps an offside player onside. He is unusually aware of staying inline with the last Central defender. And his support defense is great.
I dont remember ever seeing him just lose track of the defensive line, like i saw "experience fullbacks" do. Positionally, he is often fantastic.
But gets 0 credit often. However, he gets criticism for a faster Johnson outpacing him to a spot off an error someone else committed.
I think the Sergio Roberto comparison is apt. He is a solid player, i'd have zero problems starting him at RB. Especially next ro Khusanov. They are extremely complimentary
GaudinoMotors
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We've got an exceptional RB that we don't have to make things up about.I think he'll be best playing RB with great decision making instinct and a fantastic knack for supporting the midfield.
His version of Rico is certainly one I'd like to see but it seems it's a version he's made up so like you I'm more than happy with Nunes.We've got an exceptional RB that we don't have to make things up about.
Jonas.shaffer
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Fantastic cameo.
Gabriel
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Impressive, particularly given how little football he has played recently. Both in the destructive and constructive aspects he’s all over the park and highly effective when the game is open.
Yes. When Nunes doesn't play or is rested. That is what Rico is.We've got an exceptional RB that we don't have to make things up about.
Yes. We have 2 superb right-back options. I said as much all summer :)Nunes is one of the best right backs in the league, he had an incredble transformation, he has developed so much. He is the undisputed number 1 RB for us.
Spurs at Home is one clear example of him having poor spatial awarenessPace, and height I'll concede. Spatial awareness? No way He is fantastic at it.
jollylescott
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Well played Rico. He looked very sharp from the moment he came on.