Guardiola hints at more game time for Man City star: ‘I’m completely in love with the way he plays’ | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has declared that he is “completely in love” with Rico Lewis, saying he is “extraordinary”.

Lewis started and scored twice in the Blues’ 10-1 demolition of Exeter City in the FA Cup third round last Saturday. The academy graduate also wore the captain’s armband for the first time during the second half.

“Midfield player,” Guardiola answered on Lewis’ best position. “He’s not a player to go right-back, up and down.

“But when the opponents allow you to go to the position, to the pockets, he’s just, just, just extraordinary. Extraordinary.”

His boss continued: “He’s always free, always arriving in the box, has the ability to score goals, and he is always in the right spot.

“It’s not easy to find in the smaller spaces. When the opponent allows you to go a little bit there, he’s just extraordinary.”

Despite the praise, the 21-year-old has started just two league games for City this term – the first two games of the season. It represents a large drop from the 21 times he started in the Premier League last campaign.

City’s manager admitted: “Always I had the feeling that he should play more.

“Always he knows. I would say it’s weird to say, because he didn’t play much lately, but I’m a big admirer of Rico, a big admirer.

“I’m completely in love with the way he moves, the way he plays, and the way I like to play football. It’s extraordinary.”

Guardiola is no stranger to utilising smaller players in midfield – Bernardo Silva is often employed in that role. With City’s captain out of contract in the summer, Lewis could be a potential successor to his position.

“It’s the type of players that are so intelligent,” the Catalan insisted on similarities between the two. “They know exactly what’s going on.

“You can say, you have to play here or there. People move – opponents, balls, teammates, referees, everyone moves. How you take a decision constantly, you have to be an intelligent player, and he is. He is.”