Rico Lewis is City’s new super teenager: ‘They are completely normal people’

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Knighthood at 18? Yes! Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola (52) said about Rico Lewis after the 3-1 win in the Champions League against RB Leipzig that Rico was by far one of the best he had ever coached. In this match, Lewis became the youngest City player to score an assist in the premier league. He scored his first goal against Sevilla last season. Guardiola particularly praised Lewis’ versatility as he could play in both defense and midfield.

Clear and sympathetic

On Monday, Guardiola will throw the teenager from his billion-dollar company to the greedy English (and a few Swiss) journalists. But the Spaniard, and the entire large media department behind him, know exactly what he is doing. This becomes clear after just a few sentences. It’s unbelievable how calm the boy is. And yet not pointless, like so many in this industry. And also friendly.

“It was difficult at first”

He says about his debut at City: “It was difficult in the beginning.” You become starstruck. An English word for ‘overwhelmed’ that expresses your fascination with the stars and their world. “Suddenly you’re face to face with the people you were just idolizing on TV. But they welcomed me so well that it was surprisingly easy. You talk to them and you realize: they are completely normal people.”

Now Lewis himself (almost) belongs to this category after his 23 appearances in City’s first team last season with the historic treble. “I am now recognized when I go to the supermarket,” he says in surprise. And when he comes home, the first thing he sees is all the medals he has won. “They hang in the wardrobe. I haven’t found a suitable place for it yet.”

Lewis wants to go to the European Championships

However, he would like to get a place in England coach Gareth Southgate’s squad for the 2024 European Championship. “Logically, it is of course a dream. Every player wants to represent his country in such a tournament. But it will come as it comes.” And yet the boy has already become proactive. He talks a lot with Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Kyle Walker and John Stones about what it means to be on the road with the “Three Lions”. « I absorb every piece of information I receive. It gives me an idea of ​​what needs to be done to get there.”

For example, give every training full throttle and develop yourself further. “I am surrounded by the best players in the world and the best coach in the world. It is hardly possible not to improve. I learned so much! For example, to concentrate fully, because you quickly learn that even the smallest mistake is punished. Different from the juniors.”

Man of the match – and self-critical

It also helps if you are the man of the match in a Champions League match, like Lewis in Bern in the 3-1 win against YB. He is visibly happy with the trophy, but in the second sentence he says: “I could have done better if I conceded the goal. That disappointed me. But mistakes are part of the game and you just have to get over them and move on. I passed. Overall I’m happy.”

And Pep agrees with him.

Source : Blick