“When he came in, Rodri played better, Kevin played better, Riyad played better. Since the recovery, he is fundamental, he is a key player in the way we play.” Aged just 18, he hadn’t been born when Philipp Lahm started as a pro. He wasn’t even a year old when the German won his first Bundesliga.
Premier League
Injured, Lloris will be out between five to seven weeks
6 HOURS AGO
In terms of precocity, it is not late. Not yet of age, he was already playing in the Premier League and the Champions League. The story of the native of Bury, in Greater Manchester, with the Cityzens, which he joined at the age of 8, starts from his earliest childhood. His father, Rick, a martial arts enthusiast, practices Thai boxing and owns a gym. Inside, relate The Athleticwe can see the shot of young Rico in the ring, gloves on his wrists, ready to draw.
“As soon as he might walk, he trained. He had been watching since birth, and at age 4 he started fighting. It accompanied him in life“, explains the father to The Athletic. The latter transmits to him a heritage, idols, like Mohammed Ali: “He showed me a lot of videos of him. He told me his story and I learned a lot from it at the time“, explains Rico Lewis on the official Manchester City website. From the age of two to three, he hits the ball with his father: “Nothing serious, we were just having fun, that’s what brought me to football […]. He was the one who pushed me, he didn’t force me, but guided me in the right directions to get there.”
He has been preparing for ten years
For Jason Wilcox, director of the Manchester City Academy, this support has been essential: “I have known Rico for a long time. A large part of his success is due to the contribution of his family and those around him. His discipline and his way of being come from his upbringing and we made sure to encourage him in this sense.“From the U9s, Rico Lewis made his way to making a name for himself.”Every day he trained as if it was his last. Like all teenagers, he didn’t do everything right, he made mistakes, but it’s up to us to deal with them. He is a ‘top class’ boy with his performances, but also his behavior, very humble.”
He joined the U18s, then, in 2021-22, alternated with the U21s. “He was always one of the best in his group. Each time he went up a level, he was able to flourish in this environment. He’s a very smart guy” Last season, Rico, regularly captain, was a great craftsman of the coronation in the U18 Premier League. “He’s not just a traditional full-back, he can play in different positions“, abounds Jason Wilcox. Indeed, he is aligned in midfield and even on the left, as once morest PSG in the Youth League.
City and Haaland worry England: ‘Guardiola’s choices make the problem worse’
The Englishman often rubs shoulders with the pros under Pep’s eyes. And then, a first turning point this summer: he embarked for the tour in the United States. He made a good impression once morest Bayern Munich, Club America, and in August once morest Barça. “Many of our youngsters train with the first team. This experience is invaluable. Then you create your own opportunity. It is not by chance that Rico succeeded: he has been preparing for this moment for ten years. You have to seize the opportunity to stand out. In the end, it is he who decides whether to work hard or not. Our young people have talent, it’s regarding harnessing it, with a work ethic, temperament and natural abilities.”
Since the end of the World Cup, according to tactical modifications, Lewis has taken the lead. He started once morest Liverpool in the League Cup, before continuing in the league, and in big matches once morest Tottenham twice (including recently on the left), or during the victory once morest Arsenal in the FA Cup. After the success once morest Chelsea, Pep Guardiola praised his movement, positioning and “its dynamism“. A quality triptych that “gave more freedom [à l’équipe]”.
He does not get carried away by success
Intelligent in his placement, comfortable with leather, with a positive aggressiveness, he embraced this role “d’inverted right back” so dear to his coach, who asks his side to be able to play inside to provide an additional solution and create the surplus in the middle. “Pep uses his full-backs depending on the player’s profile, Wilcox adds. He chooses his team over the opposition and what he wants to do with the ball“Has Rico Lewis been”program“to play this hybrid role?
“No, we train players globally, so that they have the right balance. The coaches of the older groups have the possibility of bringing in the laterals a little. But we keep in mind that we are developing skills and a full range of tools. When Pep leaves, we have to make sure we have good full-backs who can play inside and outside, who can also defend one-on-one, create chances.”
“PSG is counter-cultural once morest the intensity in Germany and Bayern”
A paying choice, which Jason Wilcox once more puts in parallel with his mentality: “We focus a lot on people. You don’t survive in the first team if you’re not a good person. They are given a platform to thrive in life. When Rico returns to the Academy for his schooling, it’s the same Rico as before. He does not believe himself to be superior, does not let himself be carried away by success. He is a winner, he always tries to maximize his potential, with the obsession to progress.”
As a bonus, he benefits from the support of teammates like Kyle Walker, who gives him valuable advice: “He doesn’t pressure me to do anything special, he just tells me to focus on myself and do as well as I can.“, he told the Manchester Evening Standard. “In the next few years he will be an incredible player for Manchester City“, swore Pep Guardiola. One thing is certain: the future is reaching out to him.
Premier League
Qatari investors ready to buy Manchester United?
11 HOURS AGO
Premier League
United save the day once morest Leeds
YESTERDAY AT 10:01 PM
