This Manchester City side have plenty of excellent talent at their disposal who are fulfilling their potential at the highest level.
For a young player to even play for City is an insight into their incredible talent and fearless mindset.
Manchester City’s first-team has no shortage of established players and as a result, it is a herculean task for a youngster to even be in and around the squad.
Yet, a teenage Phil Foden perhaps gave the blueprint for others to back their talent and achieve their dream of playing for Pep Guardiola’s side at a young age.
Oscar Bobb, for instance, looked destined to have his breakout campaign despite being just 21 — a season after he already became a senior player for the club.
James McAtee (21) is set to earn a new contract at Manchester City, as per a recent revelation.
Guardiola confirmed Nico O’Reilly will be a first-team player in pre-season as well, who is only 19 years of age.
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Gabby Agbonlahor makes big claim about Man City’s Rico Lewis
However, unlike Bobb, McAtee and O’Reilly, Rico Lewis has been a first-team player for City for three years now.
The £25,000-a-week man broke into the team as a 17-year-old — starting in important games such as Manchester City’s 4-2 win against Tottenham Hotspur in the 2022/2023 season.
It seems like at 19, the Englishman is set to have a breakout season where he will become a starter based on his brilliant start to the campaign.
Lewis earned an 8/10 rating against West Ham after he started his third Premier League game on the trot this campaign.
Gabby Agbonlahor named Lewis in his Premier League Team of the Week and claimed that he could have a bright future after Manchester City’s latest 3-1 win.
Agbonlahor told talkSPORT: “I think he has been outstanding this season. There’s a reason why he has been called to the England squad. There’s a reason why he’s keeping Kyle Walker out of the team. He has been fantastic defensively. Very good coming into midfield with the ball. Outstanding.”
“Another assist for him, setting up [Erling] Haaland for his second goal of the game. I just like how confident he is. He’s a young lad, I think, he’s 19 years of age still. He has got a big career ahead of him. He has been competing with the best right-back in the world for the last couple of seasons.”
Agbonlahor concluded his praise of Lewis by stating: “I think this season will be his time to shine, and he could cement himself as England’s number one right-back.”
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Rico Lewis should aim to become first-choice right-back for Man City now
With Kyle Walker having turned 34 in May and Lewis producing terrific displays week in and week out, the latter should be aiming to become City’s starting right-back now.
While the Bury-born defender has been starting regularly, it is also important to remember that Walker missed the entirety of pre-season after Euro 2024.
But after the veteran came on against the Hammers, he could be in contention to start against Brentford.
Walker will inevitably get playing time this season as he is one of Pep Guardiola’s trusted men.
However, Lewis is certainly making Guardiola’s decision over which right-back to start a challenging as one as he was a class act against West Ham as well.
If the two-time Premier League winner remains consistent, he could and perhaps should look to convince the Manchester City boss that he is the present and future of his boyhood club at right-back.
Witnessing Lewis shine regularly as a starter for City could also push Walker to once again showcase why he should be regarded as one of the world’s best players in his position to this day.
