Pundit Darren Bent has backed Rico Lewis to become a big player for Manchester City over the next few years.
After making 23 senior appearances for the Citizens across all competitions last season, the 18-year-old put pen to paper on a five-year deal back in August, pledging his future to the Manchester club.
Having started both of City’s two previous games against RB Leipzig and Arsenal, Lewis has found himself the subject of conversation by one particular pundit, who has made a big claim about the teenager’s future.
Bent backs Lewis for big City future
Speaking on talkSPORT, Bent had this to say about Lewis when going through his list of England’s rising stars.
He said: “Rico Lewis. Man City. He will be 23 [in 2028]. He is only 18. Honestly bonkers. Look at what Pep [Guardiola] is doing for him as an inverted full-back, he played centre-midfield against Arsenal.
“I really like him, I think he’s a talented young player and I expect in the next five years him to have a breakout and be a mainstay.”
This season has seen the Englishman start four of the seven games he’s appeared in across all competitions, chipping in with one assist, which came during City’s 3-1 win over Leipzig in the Champions League.
Having played in numerous positions throughout the campaign such as left-back and defensive-midfield, this highlights the versatility he’s able to offer the team and how useful he is to have in the squad.
In fact, Guardiola said after the win in Leipzig that Lewis is one of the best players he has ever coached in terms of his ability to play and move in certain areas of the pitch.
With all of that in mind, it’s easy to see why Bent thinks the youngster will be a top figure for City and England in the next few years.
