Mateo Kovacic

[Trickyblues]

I don't think Rico is all that, but might just be me.

Very young still, so be interesting to see how he develops.

Never a defender, mind.

He’s the reason John Stones started playing the midfield role…

 

[PabZabb]

I don't think Rico is all that, but might just be me.

Very young still, so be interesting to see how he develops.

Never a defender, mind.

It’s all about opinions but I’ll have to completely disagree on that one, I think he’s a fabulous player.

Great at receiving and using the ball in tight spaces, takes care of each pass as Pep would say, and for a short fella he can look after himself.

I think we’re only scratching the surface with him at the moment. The best compliment you could give him is that he doesn’t look out of place in our midfield.

 

[richards30]

It’s all about opinions but I’ll have to completely disagree on that one, I think he’s a fabulous player.

Great at receiving and using the ball in tight spaces, takes care of each pass as Pep would say, and for a short fella he can look after himself.

I think we’re only scratching the surface with him at the moment. The best compliment you could give him is that he doesn’t look out of place in our midfield.

a young Kimmich dare we say hence why Pep has such a love for him?

 

[Any1aBlue]

He’s young and like all young players makes mistakes; the goal in the defeat at Spurs was an example of that. He still needs to develop physically so mistakes will inevitably happen when he plays in midfield where the pressure is greater.

Wow - that’s harsh to highlight that.

 

[Gabriel]

Wow - that’s harsh to highlight that.

Not really. If they’re in the starting eleven, they’re there on merit and get treated like everyone else, so if they get done in a game, as he was, then they just have to hold their hands up and bounce back. They all make mistakes, more so when they’re young and learning. Better to highlight the mistakes and learn from them than pretend otherwise, though.

 

[FantasyIreland]

I don't think Rico is all that, but might just be me.

Very young still, so be interesting to see how he develops.

Never a defender, mind.

There is something missing that makes him truly special,and it isn't age or experience.
He doesn't have that aura or x factor the very best have....a talent definitely and great attitude,but i suspect he'll be used less and less and ultimately sold within 18 months or so.

He needs to find an identity too,otherwise he could become the very useful but none descript utility type.

 

[Silva2021]

I think Rico has something but whether it will be enough for City long term is debatable.

Back to Kovacic some underestimating here, he is a great player (it’s only recently I think opposing fans have realised how good Gundogan is and there may be a bit of this, with this guy).

To be clear, I’m not saying he is as good as Gundogan (not sure who that player is) but I think some will be surprised how good technically he is.

 

[blue b4 the moon]

What’s wrong with wanting Academy kids to be given a chance? When I first moved to Manchester in 1984 it was the young local lads that the City fans were so proud of. Our Chairman has just praised the academy to the maximum - “the treble treble” etc.
If we lose our experienced players this summer I would like our younger Academy players to be considered. Simple as that.

I'm a big lover of the Academy and yeah sometimes we get the easy stuff wrong, moving Lavia up rather than buying Phillips (who could yet be a fantastic signing) wasn't currently our best move however, the days of a City 11 all from being Foden's age isn't going to happen even with us kicking arse at all junior levels.

If that's what your goal is fine but don't expect to dominate like we currently do. We'd turn onto a mid/low Prem side. There's not many as yet that have had a worldie career.

All that being said I do wish we'd at least rotate a couple of kids on the bench and actually bring them on in 'safe' games it'd give all the kids a boost & increase sales values too.

 

[FantasyIreland]

I think Rico has something but whether it will be enough for City long term is debatable.

Back to Kovacic some underestimating here, he is a great player (it’s only recently I think opposing fans have realised how good Gundogan is and there may be a bit of this, with this guy).

To be clear, I’m not saying he is as good as Gundogan (not sure who that player is) but I think some will be surprised how good technically he is.

Agree,although I think the Dippers got the better player in MacAllister.

 

[richards30]

Agree,although I think the Dippers got the better player in MacAllister.

something very strange about the Mac Allister to the dippers deal imo.

 

[skillman]

I don't think Rico is all that, but might just be me.

Very young still, so be interesting to see how he develops.

Never a defender, mind.

Personally think he’s brilliant but I do agree, not a defender. Not sure I’ve ever seen him win a header but that’s not his fault, he just doesn’t have height on his side.

Don’t think he’s good enough to be starting in midfield either, though, so interest to see what Pep does with him.

I’d rather have him than somebody else, mind.

 

[FantasyIreland]

something very strange about the Mac Allister to the dippers deal imo.

He is worth double,so there can only have been a clause of some description.
I can assure though,it wasn't Liverpools fault.

 

[Roachy]

There is something missing that makes him truly special,and it isn't age or experience.
He doesn't have that aura or x factor the very best have....a talent definitely and great attitude,but i suspect he'll be used less and less and ultimately sold within 18 months or so.

He needs to find an identity too,otherwise he could become the very useful but none descript utility type.

The other side of the coin is that over the years we have seen dozens of young player arrive on the scene with a bang, aura or X factor. Within 2 years they're playing their trade at Plymouth or West Mansfield. If he is good enough the identity will soon follow.

 

[Deyna18]

I have never read so much crap about Rico Lewis being not good enough, or not having that certain something. He's only 18 and only made his first team debut this season. Yes, at the moment he does not make the starting 11 but only time will tell whether he will be good enough. There is certainly potential, and will all depends on how he develops from here. If Pep wasn't convinced he'd be sent on loan next season.

 

[DeBlueLou]

I have never read so much crap about Rico Lewis being not good enough, or not having that certain something. He's only 18 and only made his first team debut this season. Yes, at the moment he does not make the starting 11 but only time will tell whether he will be good enough. There is certainly potential, and will all depends on how he develops from here. If Pep wasn't convinced he'd be sent on loan next season.

He's an amazing prospect and an ideal long term option. Stones and Walker are ahead of him but he's already shown he's top level at his young age.

 

[Tugay One Cup]

We wouldn't have been half as successful last season without Rico Lewis. He was the link between two iterations of our team; the first of which had enormous potential but couldn't adapt and the second which played with bollocks and the desire to prove itself all over again.

I get that the entirety of what he brings is less blatant than with some of the other young players we've brought through recently but, if nothing else, the amount of trust Pep has already put in him should be enough of a guarantee for anyone. Especially when you consider what position he's been trusted in.

There are valid criticisms but I don't feel the need to state them because they're par for the course with any player his age. But he's got something far rarer than a cultured left foot or the physicality to bully fully grown men.

He's going to be absolutely class and I can't wait to watch him again next season.

 

[youngbob]

I don't think Rico is all that, but might just be me.

Very young still, so be interesting to see how he develops.

Never a defender, mind.

Needs to bulk up a bit and finish growing. He was brilliant during that little run he had after the World Cup and he has a very bright future imo. Clearly a very intelligent player. But teams did just start targeting him because they knew he couldn't move the ball as quickly and could be knocked off it fairly easily. Think Pep took some pressure off him after that Spurs away game in February. Have a feeling his role will expand next season - he played 23 games last season and will probably top 30 next year. Steady increments.

 

[domalino]

What’s wrong with wanting Academy kids to be given a chance? When I first moved to Manchester in 1984 it was the young local lads that the City fans were so proud of. Our Chairman has just praised the academy to the maximum - “the treble treble” etc.
If we lose our experienced players this summer I would like our younger Academy players to be considered. Simple as that.

Khaldoon is on record saying they want to have a team built on the academy.

That is supposed to be the long term aim of the club, based on public statements.

 

[hammocity]

No idea why anyone gets upset about transfer fees. City happy to pay it, then all good. Who really cares.

Our business is based around FFP, the fee is now reported as £25m, still a bit high in our business model so I’d think our offer will be closer to £15m as the Chav’s need to get players off the books. I said earlier the reported £34m was too high, appears now it was.

 

[Blue Smarties]

People are really questioning the talent and potential of Rico Lewis? Christ, roll on August.