Manchester City youngster Rico Lewis is coming in for praise left, right and centre following his outstanding performance in the Champions League against RB Leipzig.
It was the first time Lewis has ever started a game away from home in the competition.
But you would not have known it, with Lewis arguably City’s best performer on the night.
The 18-year-old looked set to play alongside Rodri in holding midfield.
But he ended up pushing forward and playing as a roaming eight like Phil Foden, with Manuel Akanji stepping in behind him.
Lewis set up Foden for the opening goal.
And he was just superb in all aspects of his play. After the game, Pep Guardiola stated that he is one of the best players he’s ever trained as a manager. He branded him ‘outstanding’, which says it all…
Michael Brown stunned by how good Manchester City star Rico Lewis is for his age
Last night after the game, Brown gave his thoughts as a pundit for City’s Matchday Live programme.
He was full of praise for Lewis, who played the whole game.
He said: “That’s the thing (he’s so young)! When Lewis steps into the middle of the pitch, his control of possession, he’s getting on the ball and still when there’s substitutions to be made with lot of midfielders (on the bench), he’s staying on the pitch.
“He’s contributed in a big way. Fantastic performance. This is the Champions League, this is a tough place to come. And he looked so cool and cultured.”
Manchester City fans were raving about Lewis on social media after the game.
Former City stars Nedum Onuoha and Shaun Wright-Phillips both suggested he was operating a bit like Ilkay Gundogan last night.
Rico Lewis is phenomenal
Even when you take Lewis’ age out of the question, he is an absolutely amazing player.
But when you do remember the fact he’s only 18, it’s absolutely incredible to see the kind of performances he puts out.
He was sensational against Leipzig in what was uncharted waters for him, really.
It was the £25,000-a-week star’s first away start in the competition, and he doesn’t play the position he was playing all that often.
But you would not have known – Lewis oozed confidence, and he might just have put him in contention to play against Arsenal on Sunday.
