Manchester City have started the new Premier League season very – and one player in particular is already standing out.
Manchester City recorded wins against Chelsea and Ipswich Town to kick off 2024/25.
Pep Guardiola may have had key players missing for pre-season. But it’s so far so good in the Premier League, with players that were on the fringes last season stepping up.
One of the most impressive aspects about City is the team’s ability to win the ball back.
For all the pretty football, City are simply tremendous when it comes to hunting the ball – that was very evident when Savinho picked the pocket of Aro Muric last weekend to allow Kevin De Bruyne to put Manchester City 2-1 up against Ipswich.
But there’s one player in City’s team who has been particularly good at winning the ball back.
Rico Lewis is the best ball-winner in the Premier League so far this season
As a result of Kyle Walker’s extended break following his exploits for England at Euro 2024, Rico Lewis has started the season in favour for City.
Lewis impressed in pre-season, and was then handed a start against Manchester United in the Community Shield.
He then subsequently started the games against Chelsea and Ipswich – and he has been one of City’s best players.
Lewis has been fascinating to watch positionally. He has been playing as a right-back but due to City having so much of the ball, he has found himself playing very high up and tucked inside.
Lewis – who Pep branded ‘unbelievable’ after the win over Chelsea – has been unlucky not to get himself on the scoresheet in the first two games.
But it’s his defensive work that has been particularly impressive. According to WhoScored, Lewis has won the ball back 18 times in the Premier League so far. No player in the competition has won possession more than that.
Lewis has been immense and must keep starting
- READ MORE: Who is Rico Lewis? The Man City prodigy who is one of the best Pep Guardiola has ever trained
There is no doubt about it; Lewis has been one of City’s best players so far this season and is a serious, serious prospect.
We’ve seen him shine for City previously. But there is just a feeling about him now that he is ready to take on a greater role.
In 2023/24, Kyle Walker was levels below the standards he showed in the Treble-winning season.
It is right that Lewis is currently starting, and it is on Walker to win back his place in the team. Lewis will certainly not make it easy for him.
It is good to see Pep sticking with Lewis because he totally deserves to be starting at the moment. But the youngster knows that he’ll need to keep his level high, otherwise the club captain will be back in.
