82 | Rico Lewis - 2024/25

[shevtheblue]

No problems with that assessment. A fair one. Rico is absolutely not a player who can be relied on to carry a team. In any position. Does that therefore make him worthless? I don't think so. Or at least I'm not yet convinced of it. It is obviously risible to compare him with any of our great midfielders of the past fifteen years. But you need water carriers too, you know. And actually, I could see him even further up, in an inside right position. I'd like to see it tried, anyway. He seems to gravitate to the box often enough.

I think he played most of his youth games in midfield, he's just not physical enough for me though and doesn't (still) understand how to use his body. That can come with time, although i know it's an insane comparison i remember Pep used to put Iniesta out wide (like he has with Foden) because positionally he wasn't where he wanted yet. I think positionally actually he's ok, but he's just kind of average at everything and doesn't really excel anywhere. Maybe if he fills into his body a bit more he can hold players off, but like you i'm yet to be convinced he deserves to be picked over a top midfielder, which is what we should have signed in the first place.

 

[chesterbells]

Technically movement moving forward passing! Of the ball he is not good enough for rb! Looks at all our players off the ball you'd be shocked how crap most of our squad are! Lewis is a squad player who will play 30 games a season he isn't a starter! Every clubs need squad players you can't have 25 world class first team players!

Thanks for attempting it.

For me his qualities are his work rate, attitude, ability try and do what the manager wants, his ability to keep possession with short sideways and backwards low risk passing.

But I think that is too narrow a skill set for us. If you’re saying he can occupy a 25th ranked place in our squad then ok, but he shouldn’t be in our top 22 players. I genuinely wish him well as a player who has come through our system, and I think he could and will have a good career in the game, possibly at Championship level or maybe even a PL yoyo club at best.

I know people say Lewis isn’t a RB, and ok, but I think back to Tommy Smith who was a CM who became a RB. He came through the club, to the EDS, and went on to have a good career in the game with Huddersfield and Stoke iirc. He was a tidy, competent player too. There’s 100% no shame in not being a PL Top 4 standard player.

Maybe Pep sees him as another Philip Lahm. Sorry, but I can’t (but what do I know …?)

 

[mancboy]

That's most than a lot players have! I can see he isn't good without the ball 50/50 my argument is fans don't see other players without the ball a soft not good! Some fans also make their minds up and never budge! I can see Lewis is not a starter he is a player who can play plenty of games for us! I can pick on any player there faults but I look first at the positives in players!

the problem with lewis for me is that opposition teams tend to target him, whether it be for his youth or tendency to make a mistake i dont know but when he plays right back we inevitably look incredibly vulnerable on that side, now i think part of that is to do with pep, he doesnt have the positional awareness or pace to play as an inverted or attacking fullback unfortunately and looks out of place when he does and that alone prob makes him look a worse player than he is but for me he needs to stop being average at everything and concentrate on being quality at one thing

 

[Blue2202]

That's most than a lot players have! I can see he isn't good without the ball 50/50 my argument is fans don't see other players without the ball a soft not good! Some fans also make their minds up and never budge! I can see Lewis is not a starter he is a player who can play plenty of games for us! I can pick on any player there faults but I look first at the positives in players!

But you couldn't name me a single standout positive of his? I'm afraid attitude and work rate alone don't cut it at the level city want to get back to.

He's weak physically, without the ball, and doesn't excel with the ball at his feet either. So what does he actually offer on the pitch? Hes an outlet for opposition to exploit, I'm afraid he's way out of his depth at city.

 

[OrigamiNinja]

This is in a way the problem with Rico - If you were told that for the next 3 to 5 years he would be a key part of our midfield would you be happy that we could reach the highs of when we had prime Bernie, Kev or Gundo? I really don't know what his best position is but in recent games when he's lost possession I don't like that he is so slow to try and get back to make amends. Plus I don't see him being able to pick out a forward pass - he's good at passing short but hasn't got that killer pass in his armoury.

In recent years we have had some of the world's best midfielders from Yaya through Merlin to Kev I will never believe that Rico can join that list as a complimentary piece. I don't even see him as an impact sub - he's had 85 games and I can't see him in the centre or out wide, never see him as a number 10 - If we go out and buy a Wirtz type player added to Nico & Rodri that becomes your first choice midfield so where would he play?

We would all love a homegrown player to be the next superstar but for me Rico came in when we were a very good side and looked decent but he hasn't improved and is prone to errors wherever he plays. I just don't see a long term position for him in a side challenging at the highest level.

The “he isn’t a full back” argument some have, just doesn’t wash for me. If he was a midfielder, nobody would know who he was, because he would be lucky to have had 5 early round carabao cup appearances for us now. He only has a career because Pep saw him as a someone who can play the inverted full back role.

Pep will realise (i think he probably has already) that being able to play inverted full back, requires a lot more than what Rico can offer. Injuries have killed us this season but perversely aided Rico. I have to believe that next season, we won’t suffer the same injury crisis and/or, Rico will be so far down the pecking order after our transfer business, it won’t matter nearly as much.

The idea that Rico is the future of City, or potentially even has a future at City, is IMO Star Wars/Harry Potter levels of fantasy. Or at least I hope it is, because if he is our future, we are no longer challenging for titles. He’s neither a RB or a midfielder at our level. He can be whatever he wants elsewhere.

 

[mexico1970]

Thanks for attempting it.

For me his qualities are his work rate, attitude, ability try and do what the manager wants, his ability to keep possession with short sideways and backwards low risk passing.

But I think that is too narrow a skill set for us. If you’re saying he can occupy a 25th ranked place in our squad then ok, but he shouldn’t be in our top 22 players. I genuinely wish him well as a player who has come through our system, and I think he could and will have a good career in the game, possibly at Championship level or maybe even a PL yoyo club at best.

I know people say Lewis isn’t a RB, and ok, but I think back to Tommy Smith who was a CM who became a RB. He came through the club, to the EDS, and went on to have a good career in the game with Huddersfield and Stoke iirc. He was a tidy, competent player too. There’s 100% no shame in not being a PL Top 4 standard player.

Maybe Pep sees him as another Philip Lahm. Sorry, but I can’t (but what do I know …?)

Tommy Smith was a hard bastard though, he'd walk through a wall and was very capable.

Ohh, you meant the OTHER Tommy Smith ;-)

 

[chesterbells]

But you couldn't name me a single standout positive of his? I'm afraid attitude and work rate alone don't cut it at the level city want to get back to.

He's weak physically, without the ball, and doesn't excel with the ball at his feet either. So what does he actually offer on the pitch? Hes an outlet for opposition to exploit, I'm afraid he's way out of his depth at city.

100% pal. And I take no pleasure in agreeing with you on it, but everything you say is the case. He also lacks pace too.

 

[chesterbells]

The “he isn’t a full back” argument some have, just doesn’t wash for me. If he was a midfielder, nobody would know who he was, because he would be lucky to have had 5 early round carabao cup appearances for us now. He only has a career because Pep saw him as a someone who can play the inverted full back role.

Pep will realise (i think he probably has already) that being able to play inverted full back, requires a lot more than what Rico can offer. Injuries have killed us this season but perversely aided Rico. I have to believe that next season, we won’t suffer the same injury crisis and/or, Rico will be so far down the pecking order after our transfer business, it won’t matter nearly as much.

The idea that Rico is the future of City, or potentially even has a future at City, is IMO Star Wars/Harry Potter levels of fantasy. Or at least I hope it is, because if he is our future, we are no longer challenging for titles. He’s neither a RB or a midfielder at our level. He can be whatever he wants elsewhere.

Last sentence says it all.

 

[Chak19]

Time for him to shine with Akanji's injury, right folks ?

 

[St.Pauli support]

Well, in terms of squad rules it's no problem to keep Rico as one of max 4 club-trained HG like Phil and Oscar. He also isn't on astronomic wages.

Is that the best way for his own career? His decision.

It's interesting that Rico represents so much of Pep's philosophy:
fine personal attitude, making no problems.
Fair player but missing aggressive play, being bullied easily.
Good ball control, but no risks or creative surprise passing forward.
Ball rondos and side passes, no sense for pace and urgency.
Versatile for various jobs, but no specialist on any position.

Instead, all our success was based on a player who is mainly the total difference in all departments - Kev.

Great work ethic, but also grumpy and moody if things go wrong.
Not the best 1st touch, no top control, not too much interested in defensive work.
Takes the risk how he feels even if we concede the next break pants down, but his killer passes out of nothing made the difference and asked opponents unsolvable questions.
His urgency, his sense for blood, his stunning finishes made the difference in our game. He took us out of the seat. Not his control, not his pausa. His instinct to win a match gave us everything - in a team of high control around him.

Nowadays we are not much of a threat anymore, opponents like to play us. Bottom line Rico isn't the problem, it's the gap Kev is tearing, already.

 

[Gaz (FMwkdsoul)]

huh?

 

[HelloCity]

The “he isn’t a full back” argument some have, just doesn’t wash for me. If he was a midfielder, nobody would know who he was, because he would be lucky to have had 5 early round carabao cup appearances for us now. He only has a career because Pep saw him as a someone who can play the inverted full back role.

Pep will realise (i think he probably has already) that being able to play inverted full back, requires a lot more than what Rico can offer. Injuries have killed us this season but perversely aided Rico. I have to believe that next season, we won’t suffer the same injury crisis and/or, Rico will be so far down the pecking order after our transfer business, it won’t matter nearly as much.

The idea that Rico is the future of City, or potentially even has a future at City, is IMO Star Wars/Harry Potter levels of fantasy. Or at least I hope it is, because if he is our future, we are no longer challenging for titles. He’s neither a RB or a midfielder at our level. He can be whatever he wants elsewhere.

Perfect summary of the situation.

 

[dhruvblue]

The “he isn’t a full back” argument some have, just doesn’t wash for me.

Reminds me of Jesus not being a striker argument.
Jesus was brought as cover or replacement for Aguero
He couldn’t hack it as striker

His fanboys said he is not a striker but a winger

Then he played wide for sometime couldn’t hack their either and was eventually sold


Another Situation : Zinchenko

Same argument not full back but a midfielder, people said he should be sold or we need a new Lb but after he was sold , many said we should have never sold Ziny or Zina as they called him

 

[waspish]

But you couldn't name me a single standout positive of his? I'm afraid attitude and work rate alone don't cut it at the level city want to get back to.

He's weak physically, without the ball, and doesn't excel with the ball at his feet either. So what does he actually offer on the pitch? Hes an outlet for opposition to exploit, I'm afraid he's way out of his depth at city.

Ok pep

 

[OrigamiNinja]

Reminds me of Jesus not being a striker argument.
Jesus was brought as cover or replacement for Aguero
He couldn’t hack it as striker

His fanboys said he is not a striker but a winger

Then he played wide for sometime couldn’t hack their either and was eventually sold


Another Situation : Zinchenko

Same argument not full back but a midfielder, people said he should be sold or we need a new Lb but after he was sold , many said we should have never sold Ziny or Zina as they called him

It’s important to assess the new against what was there before, when you’re looking to the future.

Jesus was a good player…but he wasn’t Aguero good. There was a clear drop off in quality.

Zin was a bit different because we had struggled at LB for a long time and he wasn’t really replacing anyone standout.

With Rico it’s actually quite scary. Some consider Rico to be an adequate replacement for Walker and/or Cancelo. IMO this viewpoint is odd enough, when you consider what those two offered at their best. However, the idea that he is going to be an adequate replacement for someone in our midfield, is borderline insane and would be nothing short of self-sabotage by the club. Bernie, Merlin, KDB, Gundo, Rodri, Yaya, Fern, Foden…this is the level of midfielder we have been at. Arguably, we have collectively had the best midfields in world football for a decade and some advocate replacing that with Rico?

I mentioned there being a drop off in quality between Aguero and Jesus. That would be nothing when compared to us going from those mentioned to Rico. That cataclysmic decline in midfield quality, would see us go from challenging to win titles and CLs, to trying to avoid relegation.

 

[mattcity5]

But you couldn't name me a single standout positive of his? I'm afraid attitude and work rate alone don't cut it at the level city want to get back to.

He's weak physically, without the ball, and doesn't excel with the ball at his feet either. So what does he actually offer on the pitch? Hes an outlet for opposition to exploit, I'm afraid he's way out of his depth at city.

And in typical City mid90s style, because some have decided that he "isn't good enough", they get on his back from the moment he appears on the pitch, rather than supporting and making him more confident.

With Rico it’s actually quite scary. Some consider Rico to be an adequate replacement for Walker and/or Cancelo. IMO this viewpoint is odd enough,...

Funny you mention Cancelo. It was (imho) him thinking he was a creative playmaker which drove Pep mad and made him push Cancelo out and bring Lewis in.

Cancelo played some great passes, but also lost possession and we know what Pep thinks of that. Lewis came in and just gave the ball to the more talented players - like Phil and Kev and Bernardo etc. Pep wanted them to be the creative players, not his inverting fullback.

Problem now is that everyone wants a bit more from Lewis (including defensive ability etc), but his whole game is based around simple and having quality players to give the ball to. The less of them in the team, the more he struggles.

 

[dennishasdoneit]

Two things on Lewis, first he isn't big or powerfull and is much more a player that relies on positioning and football intelligence, so attributes that will improve with age so for a 20 year old too soon to judge.
Second thing reading the Pep book he seemed much more comfortable in the treble team playing in tandem with Rodri, for and inverted full back the chaos of our midfield pivot this season isn't the best for him.
In short far too soon to make any long term opinion on him.

I agree.

And it's fair to say ,imo, every single City midfield players performance has dropped off noticeably with the absence of Rodri. Every single player. Rico ,being a young player has struggled more in centre mid,albeit trying his very best.he doesn't hide.

At right full back he is struggling ,but the exit of Walker has left him thrown into the deep end,a very difficult job for a young man to do,but who else have we got in our injury hit pack of defenders to fill in ?

This comes down to lack of planning transfer wise from our management ..in midfield surely Pep would have the foresight to know the team would struggle if Rodri was a long term absentee? Why was the failed experiment with Phillips not rectified immediately..swiftly, ,decisively ? Over the years I've seen managers like Brian Clough take a player off mid match if he not doing what he wanted him to do....Pep kept selecting Phillips and didn't sign a replacement....

At right back, Rico is simply doing his best to help us out, we are struggling for fit defenders .

From what I've seen of Lewis ,he is a tigerish diligent young player
being asked to an experienced pros job. I'd definitely keep as a squad player, and see if he develops,and not blame him for the lack of foresight of our management team,or the plethora of defensive injuries which have seen our once great backline disintegrate to a mis match of walking wounded from game to game.

Older Blues will remember the rise and fall of Richard Edgehill,and we really don't want a repeat. Get behind our youth team player,which,TBF I often hear our away support sing his name loudly.....that's the support he needs.... as his dip in form coincides with a multitude of problems throughout the team..

 

[waspish]

I agree.

And it's fair to say ,imo, every single City midfield players performance has dropped off noticeably with the absence of Rodri. Every single player. Rico ,being a young player has struggled more in centre mid,albeit trying his very best.he doesn't hide.

At right full back he is struggling ,but the exit of Walker has left him thrown into the deep end,a very difficult job for a young man to do,but who else have we got in our injury hit pack of defenders to fill in ?

This comes down to lack of planning transfer wise from our management ..in midfield surely Pep would have the foresight to know the team would struggle if Rodri was a long term absentee? Why was the failed experiment with Phillips not rectified immediately..swiftly, ,decisively ? Over the years I've seen managers like Brian Clough take a player off mid match if he not doing what he wanted him to do....Pep kept selecting Phillips and didn't sign a replacement....

At right back, Rico is simply doing his best to help us out, we are struggling for fit defenders .

From what I've seen of Lewis ,he is a tigerish diligent young player
being asked to an experienced pros job. I'd definitely keep as a squad player, and see if he develops,and not blame him for the lack of foresight of our management team,or the plethora of defensive injuries which have seen our once great backline disintegrate to a mis match of walking wounded from game to game.

Older Blues will remember the rise and fall of Richard Edgehill,and we really don't want a repeat. Get behind our youth team player,which,TBF I often hear our away support sing his name loudly.....that's the support he needs.... as his dip in form coincides with a multitude of problems throughout the team..

Was there at the games when Richard Edghil got unbelievable hate! I don't get it from fans.

 

[robbieh]

It’s important to assess the new against what was there before, when you’re looking to the future.

Jesus was a good player…but he wasn’t Aguero good. There was a clear drop off in quality.

Zin was a bit different because we had struggled at LB for a long time and he wasn’t really replacing anyone standout.

With Rico it’s actually quite scary. Some consider Rico to be an adequate replacement for Walker and/or Cancelo. IMO this viewpoint is odd enough, when you consider what those two offered at their best. However, the idea that he is going to be an adequate replacement for someone in our midfield, is borderline insane and would be nothing short of self-sabotage by the club. Bernie, Merlin, KDB, Gundo, Rodri, Yaya, Fern, Foden…this is the level of midfielder we have been at. Arguably, we have collectively had the best midfields in world football for a decade and some advocate replacing that with Rico?

I mentioned there being a drop off in quality between Aguero and Jesus. That would be nothing when compared to us going from those mentioned to Rico. That cataclysmic decline in midfield quality, would see us go from challenging to win titles and CLs, to trying to avoid relegation.

I'd be curious how good all those mentioned above were when they were his age. None of them had played so many top level games as Rico. He made his debut at 17. David Silva was playing for Eibar in the spanish 2nd division , Kevin for Genk.
He's also been played out of position and in a dysfunctional team unlike the above

This of course doesn't mean he's going to be as good as them but it does mean we can cut him some slack.

 

[tackeds]

It’s fine for him to be criticised. He’s a big boy and paid a ton to kick a ball about. But some of the comments on this thread are completely out of order. Glad to see some more positive ones.