Pep Guardiola was left amazed by one Manchester City player after the club’s win over Chelsea.
Manchester City ran out 2-0 winners in their first Premier League fixture of 2024/25, with Erling Haaland and Mateo Kovacic on target for the visitors.
City were not quite at their best, and that was to be expected. But it was a solid enough performance from City, with some very good defending on show at times.
Haaland scored his 91st goal on his 100th appearance and came in for many plaudits for his lovely finish.
There were also brilliant displays from the likes of Bernardo Silva and new signing Savinho before he went off injured.
But someone else who really caught the eye was Rico Lewis, who started over Kyle Walker at right-back.
Pep says Man City gem Rico Lewis is ‘a top, top player, who ‘does everything good’, after Chelsea win
Lewis was a big part of City’s pre-season having not been to an international tournament.
The 19-year-old got some good minutes under his belt, with Kyle Walker one of a few players to be given an extended break after going to Euro 2024.
Lewis started the Community Shield against United, and got the nod again from his manager against Chelsea.
And £25,000-a-week gem Lewis more than justified his manager’s faith, putting in a fantastic display as a right-back while occasionally inverting to create overloads in the middle.
Lewis was just superb in all facets of his play, and he will have now given Pep a few things to think about ahead of the next game, because it cannot be easy to drop a player after giving such a high level of performance.
Pep was delighted with Lewis after the game, saying on Sky Sports: “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!”
Sensational Lewis must keep his place
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Lewis’s performance on Sunday was nothing short of remarkable.
It is hard to believe that Lewis is still only a teenager, given the maturity with which he plays and how comfortable he looks at all times.
Lewis is truly a generational talent, and must be worth a fortune to City already.
Pep now has a big call to make for the next game against Ipswich Town. Club captain Kyle Walker will be ready for that game, but Lewis surely cannot be dropped after that performance.
It would be extremely harsh for him to go back on the bench, as there probably wasn’t much more he could have done against Chelsea.
