82 | Rico Lewis - 2023/24

[chris85mcfc]

He's 18 for crying out loud. He will have good games and he will have poor games. Bellingham had some poor games for Dortmund. It happens.

Nobody has much of an idea yet of what his actual best position will be because he's still growing physically and is just at the very beginning of his career. The fact that he's already shown some versatility despite his age is a massive plus for him.

Do you think Kevin De Bruyne was good most weeks as an 18 year old? Factually he wasn't. And that was despite playing at a much lesser club and without the pressure that also comes with playing for an elite club like ourselves.

I understand what you're saying, and to be honest you're the angel on my shoulder in my thinking about Rico.

We have to discuss his development though don't we? Cole had a thread when he was getting less game time, and plenty weren't convinced by him at all, and I was actually one of his bigger advocates.

Personally just not seeing it with Rico just yet, and I hope I'm wrong.

 

[WallyA]

I think its fair to discuss certain stalling in his development.

But I also think its normal after the honeymoon period for a young player under Pep to not have a smooth period of development, especially when Pep plays him almost everywhere on the pitch.

Im still unsure on his best position, midfield, or fullback, will be interesting to see him develop more over the next few years.

 

[MCFCFanTX]

Versatile, squad player already at his age. Maybe this is his ceiling, maybe not. Valuable player to have.

 

[bluethai]

Good work rate but needs improvement on the first touch.

 

[oldius]

Good work rate but needs improvement on the first touch.

His first touch is excellent, unless you're only measuring it by the 'ball out of the sky' incident from yesterday. Technically, he is a super player. He also has a high level of football intelligence. Experience, playing and training are what's needed, like most young players.

 

[supercity88]

Whilst he's still developing, we've got a player who will always give 100% and is capable at playing a number of different positions for us. With a fairly small squad, that's had a number of injuries this season it's fantastic to have academy players who can come in and perform without us seeing a huge drop off in quality and performance. That's the only expectation on him at the moment.

 

[Pelegrinni]

I don't see all the negatives being highlighted by some posters on here. This guy is very talented and with a high football IQ. I quite enjoy watching him play and think he will be a consistent player on this team for a while.
Also, Pep does not do favoritism. If Pep thinks he's good enough, then that will do for me.

 

[waspish]

I don't see all the negatives being highlighted by some posters on here. This guy is very talented and with a high football IQ. I quite enjoy watching him play and think he will be a consistent player on this team for a while.
Also, Pep does not does favoritism. If Pep thinks he's good enough, then that will do for me.

Neville gets talked about being one of the best right backs ever! Lewis technically is better than Neville ever was plus he can play 3/4 positions all at the age of 19 the kids brilliant

 

[handsofstone]

I think its fair to discuss certain stalling in his development.

I get what you're implying buy I really don't like this phasing

I don't think he has got stalling development, this is just what development is

Feel like there is some assumption that a player gets better and better every year, thats just not true. This isn't FIFA or Football Manager where your stats just go up every year when you're a young player. (Also, not stating that you mena this WallyA, but more of a general comment)

I mean Foden was arguably more impressive at 19 then he was at 20. And tbf, Phil has really only become a true mainstay of the 1st XI (in that if he's fit he starts) because Gundogan left in the summer, his place was never guaranteed.

You'd argue Rashford has never been as good as when he first broke on the scene. On a smaller level, Curtis Jones for the Dippers was a top prospect, then he struggled for a few years now this season (at 22) he's finally broke into the side and is making good on his potential

This is just a part of natural development. He is just a kid and he's going to have some strong run of form and some poor runs.

Truthfully, unless you're a 1 in a million talent, we'd never have someone under the age of 21 playing consistently in our XI when at full strength, not for a team that competes on all fronts and can barely afford to drop a point

Rico is not long turned 19, he's clearly very intelligent and has got a strong mentality because those attributes are so crucial to Pep

He may make it, he may not, but you can't say anything for definite as of right now, especially on where his ceiling is

 

[The Fat el Hombre]

Still doing absolutely fine and a very exciting prospect for me