82 | Rico Lewis - 2024/25

[chesterbells]

And Rico did it all for us.
And is now consistently picked by a manager widely considered to be one of the greatest football brains in history.

Did we do all that because of Rico though? I’m not convinced.

Your point about Pep choosing him, is of course, the ultimate discussion-ending point on here pal really, because y’know who’s gonna argue with the greatest? etc etc ;-) It’s a point that could kill huge swathes of threads and discussion on here, if we all accepted it. I do roll my eyes a bit when I see it get used.

I prefer to take the view, yes Pep is the greatest, but just maybe even the greatest aren’t right 100% of the time - and at least that way we get a bit more discussion on here ;-)

 

[oldius]

Did we do all that because of Rico though? I’m not convinced.

Your point about Pep choosing him, is of course, the ultimate discussion-ending point on here pal really, because y’know who’s gonna argue with the greatest? etc etc ;-) It’s a point that could kill huge swathes of threads and discussion on here, if we all accepted it. I do roll my eyes a bit when I see it get used.

I prefer to take the view, yes Pep is the greatest, but just maybe even the greatest aren’t right 100% of the time - and at least that way we get a bit more discussion on here ;-)

We did it because of our squad, of which he was a part - crucially so at times.

 

[Pelegrinni]

Didn’t Kalvin Phillips get a treble aswell ?

Kalvin Phillips can't do half of what Rico is doing for the team
Some people have forgotten that it was Rico who showed John Stones how to play the inverted role during the treble season. Not my opinion but Pep's actual words.
You may not like the player but he is one of the best in the team. His shortcoming unfortunately, is his height and maybe, his pace as well.

 

[Dax777]

I want to have this on record:

If Rico Lewis continues to play like he did against Palace, he will not only be City's preferred starting RB, he will be considered a World Class RB at it.

If anyone cares, just watch the game again and focus strictly on Rico, he was damn near flawless in every department.

Defensively, he attacked the player he was defending at an angle that reduced Mitchell's options and he was quick to press his man before the ball arrives.

In possession he was fantastic, his first touch always made pressing him into errors very hard to accomplish. He always turns towards his options every time. This means he is checking and reading the play before the ball comes to him.

His progressive movement was also very smooth. Touch pass and move to the next pocket. Lots of intricate passing with Kevin and Kova.

But where i was most impressed was in his ability to concentrate as pressure built, even when under pressure on a counter, he chases or runs with his man up to the defensive line set by the CBs and then stops. Allowing his man to continue offside.

He won 3 offsides doing this. Its an unbelievable show of awareness. There are 10 year veterans who struggle with this. Kyle Walker never was able to master this level of consistent concentration ever. And he was team captain.

I see a potential world class cross between Carvarjal and Pablo Zabaleta

He has only 1 real shortcoming, he is not very athletic for a full back. I expect a Dani Carvajal/ Pablo Zabaleta trajectory for Rico. Not as aggressive as Zab but technically slightly better. Both aren't super athletic.

If Palace a harbinger of things to come, I see a potential WC consistent RB who'd sometimes struggle with Speedsters. In short, I see an English Dani Carvajal.

That's my take.

 

[Pedestrian]

Kalvin Phillips can't do half of what Rico is doing for the team
Some people have forgotten that it was Rico who showed John Stones how to play the inverted role during the treble season. Not my opinion but Pep's actual words.
You may not like the player but he is one of the best in the team. His shortcoming unfortunately, is his height and maybe, his pace as well.

Are you pissed?

 

[spacecadet]

I want to have this on record:

If Rico Lewis continues to play like he did against Palace, he will not only be City's preferred starting RB, he will be considered a World Class RB at it.

If anyone cares, just watch the game again and focus strictly on Rico, he was damn near flawless in every department.

Defensively, he attacked the player he was defending at an angle that reduced Mitchell's options and he was quick to press his man before the ball arrives.

In possession he was fantastic, his first touch always made pressing him into errors very hard to accomplish. He always turns towards his options every time. This means he is checking and reading the play before the ball comes to him.

His progressive movement was also very smooth. Touch pass and move to the next pocket. Lots of intricate passing with Kevin and Kova.

But where i was most impressed was in his ability to concentrate as pressure built, even when under pressure on a counter, he chases or runs with his man up to the defensive line set by the CBs and then stops. Allowing his man to continue offside.

He won 3 offsides doing this. Its an unbelievable show of awareness. There are 10 year veterans who struggle with this. Kyle Walker never was able to master this level of consistent concentration ever. And he was team captain.

I see a potential world class cross between Carvarjal and Pablo Zabaleta

He has only 1 real shortcoming, he is not very athletic for a full back. I expect a Dani Carvajal/ Pablo Zabaleta trajectory for Rico. Not as aggressive as Zab but technically slightly better. Both aren't super athletic.

If Palace a harbinger of things to come, I see a potential WC consistent RB who'd sometimes struggle with Speedsters. In short, I see an English Dani Carvajal.

That's my take.

Seriously, Is this a Clarkie? I honestly can't stop laughing.

 

[merz]

Rico is very good at a lot of things, the problem is he isn't great at ANY of them, and at this level you have to be.

pretty much wrote the same some months ago. ppl now tripping seeing a wc rb in rico because of how he played at the weekend? just wow.

Seriously, Is this a Clarkie? I honestly can't stop laughing.

dax probably got hacked.

 

[Legal Alien]

Anyone objectively watching the game on Saturday knows that is simply untrue.
If you enter a game trying to prove your bias against certain players, you will see what you wish.
I watched the game live and the replay and highlights. He had a really decent game, and we won 5-2. If you read some posters here, he was awful. There is a pattern within a section of our fanbase who similarly have singled out players like Rodri, Grealish, Nunes, Sterling, Mahrez, Gundogan, et al. I don't get it, and never will. Now, they call some of those players out for their greatness and say that new players at the beginning of their careers here will never be as good as them. They are in the transfer thread insisting that only players that are now as good as peak KDB are good enough to replace him, forgetting that when he joined he had years of development ahead of him.

I like Rico, he's a good player, with good feet in controlled spaces but he plays his best football when he's in midfield.

The problem with him playing at right back is that he's just not quick enough and hasn't got that turn of pace he needs to get back when he pushes up and we lose possession.

It looks like teams try to exploit his weakness and target him now.
He gave Eze too much space for his goal on Saturday and just couldn't catch him, allowing for an easy tap in and unfortunately it's not the first time this season that this has happened.

 

[oldius]

I want to have this on record:

If Rico Lewis continues to play like he did against Palace, he will not only be City's preferred starting RB, he will be considered a World Class RB at it.

If anyone cares, just watch the game again and focus strictly on Rico, he was damn near flawless in every department.

Defensively, he attacked the player he was defending at an angle that reduced Mitchell's options and he was quick to press his man before the ball arrives.

In possession he was fantastic, his first touch always made pressing him into errors very hard to accomplish. He always turns towards his options every time. This means he is checking and reading the play before the ball comes to him.

His progressive movement was also very smooth. Touch pass and move to the next pocket. Lots of intricate passing with Kevin and Kova.

But where i was most impressed was in his ability to concentrate as pressure built, even when under pressure on a counter, he chases or runs with his man up to the defensive line set by the CBs and then stops. Allowing his man to continue offside.

He won 3 offsides doing this. Its an unbelievable show of awareness. There are 10 year veterans who struggle with this. Kyle Walker never was able to master this level of consistent concentration ever. And he was team captain.

I see a potential world class cross between Carvarjal and Pablo Zabaleta

He has only 1 real shortcoming, he is not very athletic for a full back. I expect a Dani Carvajal/ Pablo Zabaleta trajectory for Rico. Not as aggressive as Zab but technically slightly better. Both aren't super athletic.

If Palace a harbinger of things to come, I see a potential WC consistent RB who'd sometimes struggle with Speedsters. In short, I see an English Dani Carvajal.

That's my take.

I agree with much of this. I certainly believe he has vast potential.

 

[King Jay]

He's definitely a better footballer than Mason Mount.

Rico has got a great attitude and mental strength. He's still in the early stages of his development, and too much has been expected if him imo. He'll be a great squad player for us in the long term.

He is definitely not better than the same Mason Mount who left Chelsea for United. Gotta be some sort of joke in here some stuff I am seeing.
From can’t make the Southampton squad to better than the same Mount who started for Chelsea and even started for the national team.

To the thing that he has WC RB potential. Carvajal at the same age had like 10 assists for Leverkusen. And was already strong on offense and got better on defense over time. Rico doesn’t have the body for it and will only look good if we have the ball for the whole game like we had in the 2nd half against Palace. And games like this will barely happen anymore especially against top teams. They will always target him.

 

[Dax777]

pretty much wrote the same some months ago. ppl now tripping seeing a wc rb in rico because of how he played at the weekend? just wow.

dax probably got hacked.

Nope. I am making a prediction based on performance. If what he did against Palace is a precursor then I see WC in his future.

He was good in ways that aren't so easily obvious. Contrary to popular claims, he is actually great at lots of things. Technique, vision, positioning (both defensive and offensive,) tight area control, decision making, concentration etc

And there are few things he isn't good at. Speed and maybe heading the ball being the only 2, i can think of.

 

[bluealf]

At the very worst he will be a perfect bench player, he can cover so many different areas he is invaluable in that regard, at the very best he steps up and makes a position his own in the team be that RB or in midfield.

I'd be in no rush to sell a player who loves the club like a fan.

Though I never quite understand what the haters get out of it, they slag the guy off while sat at home never being good enough to live their own football dreams, guy isn't good enough but is sat with 5 full international caps and 90 appearances for the best team in the league over the vast majority of his time in the squad.

Must be terrible being that shit at football

 

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

The level of criticism he is receiving from our own fans is getting ridiculous now. Even when he is playing well, he’s getting criticised.

In my view our academy players often get much more stick or treated harshly compared to our 50/60m signings. They play well at first and then as you expect they go out of form, some of our fans can’t deal with that and instantly write them off

 

[merz]

Though I never quite understand what the haters get out of it, they slag the guy off while sat at home never being good enough to live their own football dreams, guy isn't good enough but is sat with 5 full international caps and 90 appearances for the best team in the league over the vast majority of his time in the squad.

Must be terrible being that shit at football

I get your point, and yeah, some of the hate does go way over the top. But at the same time, let’s not act like every person with a critical opinion is some failed footballer living in their mum’s basement. There are probably plenty of people on here who are successful in their own lives and just enjoy discussing football.

It’s a forum. People are here to share views and debate. That’s kind of the whole point. Not every critique is hate and not every critique needs to be written off with "you couldn't do better." It's just as lazy as saying he should be shipped out without any context.

 

[Dax777]

I get your point, and yeah, some of the hate does go way over the top. But at the same time, let’s not act like every person with a critical opinion is some failed footballer living in their mum’s basement. There are probably plenty of people on here who are successful in their own lives and just enjoy discussing football.

It’s a forum. People are here to share views and debate. That’s kind of the whole point. Not every critique is hate and not every critique needs to be written off with "you couldn't do better." It's just as lazy as saying he should be shipped out without any context.

Fair point. For my position, i see a potential WC Right back in Rico.

 

[Lavinda Past]

He is definitely not better than the same Mason Mount who left Chelsea for United. Gotta be some sort of joke in here some stuff I am seeing.
From can’t make the Southampton squad to better than the same Mount who started for Chelsea and even started for the national team.

To the thing that he has WC RB potential. Carvajal at the same age had like 10 assists for Leverkusen. And was already strong on offense and got better on defense over time. Rico doesn’t have the body for it and will only look good if we have the ball for the whole game like we had in the 2nd half against Palace. And games like this will barely happen anymore especially against top teams. They will always target him.

He's still a kid. He'll be a different player in 12-18 months as he develops further. While he may not yet be an elite player, he's got time on his side, and is in the right place to learn.

He's got a great football brain for a lad of his age, and will probably save the club £70m+ in transfer fees.

 

[cleavers]

He's still in the early stages of his development, and too much has been expected if him imo.

The key to this debate for me.

 

[Rammy Blue]

Seriously, Is this a Clarkie? I honestly can't stop laughing.

He’s watched the game 3 times you know? ;-)

 

[SambaStyle]

He's a mid - low tier PL player

 

[BlueMoonRisin’]

Seriously, Is this a Clarkie? I honestly can't stop laughing.

Dax makes malg look like an amateur when it comes to wumming ; )

Thing is malg knows he's on the WUM but Dax believes in the shit he writes : /