82 | Rico Lewis - 2023/24

[Tricky_Trev]

I rate him much higher than most(apparently) seem to, but there's no denying he looked completely out of his depth tonight. Stones didn't look much better than him tbf...

Does anyone have a plausible explanation as to why he's seemingly trusted centrally more than Phil is...?

It’s simple tbh. Because Rico can defend in a two with Rodri and Phil can’t. When Rodri is available, we have 2 other midfielders with him, one has to press high next to Haaland in the 442 (KDB/Alvarez) and the other has to defend next to Rodri (Bernardo/ Rico/Kovacic/Nunes). Pep has said before that he wants Phil to play deeper. What he means by that is for him to be able to defend next to Rodri, so that he can play centrally. Until he learns that, he probably won’t play there. Same reason why Grealish isn’t going to magically play in the centre for us. He can’t do either of the out of possession roles.

 

[ScottSinclair]

Opposition couldn't get near him though, could they ? Lewis is light years away from El Mago in all facets of the game as are most humans.

Yeah but the point is writing someone off as a midfielder due to size in 2023 is batshit insane to me. It's all part of the learning curve

 

[Macca77macca]

I’ll preface this with “Pep knows best“ because that’s a fact, but I really don’t understand some of his midfield selections this season.Akanji is not a midfielder and playing in that role just puts more pressure on the backline as he is constatly losing possession in dangerous areas. Stones is not a midfielder. He is a much better player with the play in front if him and is clearly not comfortable playing the Rodri role with involves constant direction changes and demands the ability to keep possession even when being swarmed by the opposition. Bernardo and Foden are midfielders yet always seem to be stuck on the wings where they have less influence on the game. I haven’t figured out exactly what Lewis’s best position is yet. He struggled last night because he couldn’t cope with the quick press and being surrounded by two or three Villa players every time he got the ball. Hopefully he and Pep will have a solution for the next time he plays.
Many of us on here have been saying this for ages. We need real cover for Rodri - not make do and mend. Without a real DM we are weaker and other teams have figured it out.

Stones is not fit. Otherwise he is fine in midfield.

 

[callumcity]

He is too easily pushed off the ball. The midfield last night was extremely lightweight.

He’s 19 mate he’s obviously gonna get stronger

 

[callumcity]

For those questioning his height, at 5ft 6 and a half he is taller than Marco Verratti (5ft 5), the same height as Ngolo Kante, Lucas Torreira, Fred etc who all play his position/ role in midfield.

He just needs to bulk up a bit, he’s 19.

 

[Goldust]

For those questioning his height, at 5ft 6 and a half he is taller than Marco Verratti (5ft 5), the same height as Ngolo Kante, Lucas Torreira, Fred etc who all play his position/ role in midfield.

He just needs to bulk up a bit, he’s 19.

All of that correct but take your city hat off he’s not got the ability veratti or Kante

 

[ScottSinclair]

All of that correct but take your city hat off he’s not got the ability veratti or Kante

Certainly played at a higher level than both at 18/19
Veratti was in Serie B and Kante far down the divison ladder in France. Both undoubtly talented but far from finished articles, because they were 19!!

I suspect we are going to be very happy that we gave Lewis minutes in a couple of years. That he even sometimes look like one of our better players like Leipzig away, and even against Arsenal earlier in the season is actually unheard of by a 19 year old with the players he have around him

 

[eastmanc]

He’s 19 mate he’s obviously gonna get stronger

Your right but at the moment he shouldn't be thrust into the midfield at one of the form teams in the Premier League he simply isn't strong enough.

 

[Gorton_Tubster]

I am still of the same opinion, he just isnt the thing he's made out to be. Maybe too young maybe not quick enough or creative enough thinking. We will see in the next few seasons.

 

[cleavers]

We all want him to succeed, but we have to be honest here; he was very poor last night. In his defence, he wasn't on his own.

He was far from the worst, and in the game I watched, he played in about 3 different positions, in a team already playing shite, he's 19, very few 19 year olds would handle that well imho.

Hung out to dry for far too long imho.