Rico Lewis’ Manchester City season assessed by Pep Guardiola following criticism | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has spoken at length about Rico Lewis’ season so far for the club following criticism from some supporters over his performances.

The club’s latest star academy graduate has endured a more complicated campaign for the club since his breakthrough season and the Premier League title-winning run of 2023/24 at Manchester City.

Overall below-par performances from his Manchester City teammates have directly affected his own performances, while his responsibility in covering multiple positions from a starting right-back berth have left him susceptible to opponents exploiting space around him.

Kyle Walker’s exit on a season-long loan to AC Milan in the January market has added more pressure onto Lewis’ shoulders to return to previous form or simply improve his ongoing standards, while competing for a place with Matheus Nunes at right-back.

Now, speaking during a recent press conference, and in light of some criticism from Manchester City supporters, manager Pep Guardiola was asked for his own assessment of Rico Lewis’ season so far for the club.

“Since he arrived in the first-team he has been really, really good,” Guardiola said.

“He’s a guy that people could think is not a good defender but he’s an exceptional defender, so smart, intelligent.”

The Manchester City manager continued, “Of course his physicality is not like a typical defender in this country, but he’s really good, especially with the ball he gives us a lot, a lot of good things.

“He makes the game better and since he arrived, not just in that period, he won a lot of titles for his early age, and his impact has been really good.”

After starting at right-back in the 0-2 home defeat to Liverpool on Sunday afternoon, Matheus Nunes replaced Rico Lewis for the following encounter against Tottenham in the Premier League on Wednesday night.

While neither player shone to a great extent in either outing, it may be the case that Lewis is brought back in for the weekend’s FA Cup fifth round tie against Plymouth Argyle at the Etihad Stadium this weekend.