Since Rico Lewis has come into Manchester City’s first-team, he has looked like a seasoned professional.
Kyle Walker lauded Lewis’ football brain for a young player and described him as “unbelievable.”
Pep Guardiola also pinpointed Lewis playing as an inverted right-back being the sole reason why Manchester City went on to win the treble as he showcased the likes of John Stones and Kyle Walker how to come into midfield from defence.
While the £25,000-a-week man is a brilliant young player, he is in a fortunate position of learning his craft from top players.
In September last year, Lewis revealed he “looked up to” Ilkay Gundogan — who has returned to the club this summer.
Lewis also named Phil Foden as the “main player” he has learned off watching.
- READ MORE: Who is Rico Lewis? The Man City prodigy who is one of the best Pep Guardiola has ever trained
Man City’s Lewis makes big Kyle Walker claim
Several talented youngsters across Europe do not have the chance to watch, learn and pick the brains of some of the best players in the world.
However, the Englishman is a part of a footballing environment that is perfect for any young player to hone their craft.
With Pep Guardiola being his manager and the club being one that prides itself on winning, each day of training and playing for City must be a learning experience for the 19-year-old.
In July, Lewis revealed that he sees his future in midfield — meaning he has had to learn plenty to adapt to becoming a right-back.
Speaking to Manchester City’s official website, Lewis disclosed how he feels learning his craft from Walker while hailing him as the greatest right-back to have ever graced the Premier League.
“It’s amazing. In my opinion, he’s [Walker] the best full-back in the world and if not, the best Premier League full-back ever. Like Pep [Guardiola] says, we’re both different players. “
“He’s so good defensively, physically he’s much better and dominant than me but we have different qualities.”
Kyle Walker has done enough to cement his legacy
The £50 million man is ageing and as a result, there could be a possibility that he becomes City’s second-choice right-back this season.
Matt Le Tissier described Walker as “worse than average” for England during Euro 2024 as well.
But after the career that the 34-year-old has had during his time in the Premier League for both Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City, his incredible trophy haul and his consistency at the top level, the veteran’s legacy in English football and beyond is cemented as a legendary figure.
Even in the Champions League and at the international level, it could be argued that Walker has been the world’s most consistent and feared right-back over the last decade.
The six-time Premier League winner’s outstanding defensive capabilities against some of the very best wingers for both club and country and his tactical versatility are factors that made him a stellar player.
Walker might be on his last legs but his career speaks for itself as he will retire as one of, if not the Premier League’s best-ever right-back alongside Gary Neville and Trent Alexander-Arnold to name a few.
