Lewis looking forward to building on relationship with Maresca | OneFootball

Men's Team

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The Italian coach worked with our Academy graduate in his previous stint with the club during our historic 2022/23 campaign.

Back then, Maresca was one of Pep Guardiola’s assistants while Lewis was making his mark in his first year of senior football.

Still only 21, the Radcliffe-born Lewis has already played 116 times for City and helped us to nine major honours.

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Now he’s looking to the future with Maresca as the main man in charge.

“When he was with us in the Treble season, most of the time after sessions he would take me do individual sessions which I really appreciated,” he said.

“We had a good relationship but it wasn’t too long because he was only there for that season. It’s good to have him back.

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“It’s been good so far and everything is positive. There’s a clear idea about how we want to play.

“Everyone knows where they need to be and what they need to do, which is the important thing.

“We’re grasping the ideas and the more we do that the better we’ll become as a team.”

Lewis has been used at both full-back and in midfield during his fledgling career so far, with Guardiola often praising his ability in tight spaces, eye for a pass and tenacity.

He was one of just two players to complete the full 90 minutes in Saturday’s pre-season opener with Inter.

Having started in defence, he moved into midfield in the second period as the side was changed around him.

No matter where on the pitch he’s selected, Lewis just wants to do his bit for the team.

“We’ve not spoken about the position I’ll play yet but I played full-back and midfield the other day [against Inter], so that gives me an idea of what he’s thinking,” he said.

“I will speak to him but I just want to play. That’s the main thing for me, I just want to be playing football and helping the team.”

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As he proved by getting through the full game on Saturday, Lewis insists he’s doing everything he can to arrive at the start of the campaign at full tilt.

“I didn’t feel too bad after the game and I was surprised because I didn’t think I’d be able to play 90 minutes,” he said.

“I worked hard and did some training in summer and I feel like that paid off and hopefully will have me in good shape.”

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After Saturday’s meeting with Inter, we’ll now head to Seoul to play a K League All-Stars side on Wednesday 5 August and then Atletico Madrid on Sunday 9 August. Both games begin at 12:00 (UK).

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