Manchester City secured their first win of the new Premier League season on Sunday with a 2-0 win at Chelsea.
After becoming the first side to win four consecutive Premier League trophies last season, Pep Guardiola’s side got their hunt for a fifth title off to a good start by beating Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Erling Haaland put City ahead in the first half before Mateo Kovacic doubled the away side’s lead to secure the victory.
Despite that, another figure in the City squad has found himself being heavily praised for what he did on the pitch in West London.
- READ MORE: Who is Rico Lewis? The Man City prodigy who is one of the best Pep Guardiola has ever trained
Alan Shearer praises Rico Lewis for Chelsea performance
In his first Team of the Week selection shared on the Premier League’s official website, Alan Shearer picked Rico Lewis as one of his defensive options before saying this about him and his performance against Chelsea.
He said: “Lewis performed admirably in the absence of Kyle Walker. Kept Christopher Nkunku quiet, prevented an equaliser and inverted superbly to support City in attack.”
Lewis showed his worth again against Chelsea
After completing the full 90 minutes against Manchester United in the Community Shield, the £25k-per-week defender did the same thing in Sunday’s win at Chelsea.
Even though the 19-year-old managed to lose possession of the ball 16 times in total, Lewis still managed to show off his defensive ability to help his side keep their first clean sheet of the season.
Specifically, the teenager made two tackles, two clearances, one interception and blocked one shot.
After the game, Guardiola praised Lewis by saying this about him to Sky Sports.
He said: “He saved a goal [vs Chelsea] because always he’s in the right position. In the one-against-ones defensively, he’s unbelievable!
Arriving in the final third, as a full-back, in the inside channel, how many times?! In the pockets, he moves like a player few times I’ve seen in my life!
“He does everything good, one-against-one defensively, blocking shots in the first half from Nkunku, he’s always ready, he moves inside and outside perfectly. Honestly, Rico is a top, top player! A top player!”
Taking all of that into account, it’s nice to see that Shearer recognised Lewis’ efforts in his latest appearance for City.
