82 | Rico Lewis - 2024/25

[youngbob]

This is it. He doesn't have the luxury of being protected the way Foden has been. He's in over his head right now and there's nobody to take the workload off him.

It got like this for him during the treble season. Cancelo had thrown his toys out the pram so it was all on Rico - that 1-0 defeat at Spurs around February time was sad. They just bullied him off the park - the Spurs goal came from Lewis being caught ball watching by Hojbjerg and he just got pushed to the floor. Pep saw a bit of sense and pulled him out the team, going to that 3-2-4-1 system for the first time. He'd be doing the same now but Walker, Akanji, Ake, Kovacic, Dias, and Stones (all players who'd be replacing him) can't stay fit at the moment.

 

[Stiff Little Wingers]

Thought he was pretty ok today. Showed for the ball, handled it ok and tried to get stuck in. But aside from one cross field pass he was very limited with his range of passing, passed backwards and very conservatively all night. Didn’t ever break the lines or get us moving. Young lad so time to develop and may become a tidy squad player but I just cannot see how he features prominently in a side wanting to compete at the top end of European football.

Excellent summary. Also, doesn't move the ball quickly - a 2 yard sideways pass can be very effective if played first time

 

[ninjamonkey]

If he plays against the dippers, they'll target him on the ball, he's far too easy to bully and disposes and they'll ruthlessly target the chasms of space he leaves when they have the ball. It will be absolutely brutal. Don't do it to him Pep.