Rico Lewis, the unicorn.
A product of Manchester City's academy, 18 year old Rico Lewis has seen plenty of game time for the club this season, helping the club tactically evolve to the next level.
‘Without Rico, what we do would be impossible. Defensively, he is so smart, understands the game, and is so clever.
‘That’s why he helps us to do our dynamics so much better. He has played really, really well. He’s an absolute reality for us. Again, against Chelsea and Liverpool in the Carabao Cup, and today in Elland Road, wow. Played really, really well.’
Handed the huge task of keeping Son Heung-Min quiet in a high-intensity game, Rico Lewis was fouled all night, yet remained unfazed as he dazzled his way out of Tottenham’s high press. The game against Spurs was a dramatic one, but also a huge milestone for the teenager as his quality truly shone amongst the biggest stars- Harry Kane, Kulusevksi, Erling Haaland.
Rico Lewis joined Manchester City when he was eight years old. He has never looked back since, captaining the club's under-18 team in 2021-22 and impressing Pep Guardiola when playing for the first team.
Lewis’ rise to the first team has been meteoric. From being drip-fed minutes to displacing the likes of Kyle Walker and João Cancelo, Lewis’ ceiling knows no bounds, and it’s a testament to his talent and quality.
Lewis’ profile is rare- a unicorn. A unique, highly-valued position that offers stability. A fresh, young talent with the hunger and desire Pep Guardiola craves to see in a footballer. A player that lulls the opposition into a false sense of security before driving past them or slotting in a clever pass to break lines. The inverted full-back provides control in midfield and a great amount of possession-recycling. However, it also requires a high amount of technical excellence, intelligence, patience, and rhythm that can be hard to find in any player.
Kyle Walker has an excellent defensive presence, with valuable recovery pace that restrains wingers from wreaking havoc, but isn’t technically at the level of his other teammates. João Cancelo, for all his technical ability, lacks a strong defensive side to his game and much prefers playing in advanced positions.
It's why Pep Guardiola adores Lewis so much: his press resistance, metronomic passing, and footballing IQ are all highly sought-after qualities for a possession-based team, and elements that can be hard to come by, particularly in a fullback.
Control, control, control
Manchester City have recently started in a 4-3-3 formation, with the left-sided midfielder assisting Rodri in a double pivot. As the game progresses, the midfielder advances and the fullback inverts to form a 3-2-5 build-up shape.
Rico Lewis fills the role of the inverted right back, partnering with Rodri to form a compact midfield that is strong against transitions. He creates more passing lanes in central areas, providing more options for building up play to enter the final third and create. He sprays long balls to wide players, positions himself to form passing triangles with his teammates, and occasionally drives the play forward with his vision and technical ability.
With Rico Lewis at right-back, City can have 5 men in attack and 5 in defence, with the goalkeeper in the net.
When Cancelo plays, City’s build-up is usually in a 2-3 shape. He prefers to play in wide areas in advanced areas of the pitch when playing on the left, slightly ahead of Rodri. His role gives City more creativity, but it also leaves the center-back stranded, making the team more vulnerable to counter-attacks and transitions. It also often means that whenever he ventures forward, the left-sided midfielder(either Gundogan or Bernardo) would have to drop deeper to cover for him, limiting their attacking influence.
When City are in possession with Rico Lewis in the XI, he is positioned next to Rodri, in a 3-2 build-up shape. It frees Rodri from being the sole defender, allowing him to move up or even drop alongside the center-backs. Because of his tactical intelligence and versatility, midfielders can move into advanced positions, relieving them of heavy defensive responsibilities. Kevin De Bruyne and İlkay Gündoğan can operate in the half-spaces and attack the box, while Riyad Mahrez, Jack Grealish, and Phil Foden can stay high and maintain width, occasionally cutting in when conditions allow. This build-up shape is effective against high-pressing teams and those sides who sit back and generate chances on the counter.
Compare that setup to how City play with Cancelo, where there is less support in defence and less stability to prevent transitions, and it is easy to understand why Guardiola prefers Lewis. It could be argued that Cancelo has the technique to play alongside Rodri (as he did in 20/21), but his lack of pausa and desire to ‘force the issue’ are not favourable qualities for Guardiola.
Lewis’ importance is well-reflective of the importance of an inverted fullback, and why Guardiola has used it his entire career.
Composure
Rico Lewis’ calmness in possession cannot be overlooked. He scans for the best options in advance, and when he receives the ball his decision-making is quick. Lewis' Premier League pass completion rate of 92.8% demonstrates exceptional ball retention and reliance in possession, as he keeps Man City in rhythm with his passing.
Lewis doesn't make 'Hollywood passes'; instead, his passes are more focused on combination play or breaking out of the first and second phases of the game. He averages 3.14 passes into the final third, as well as stringing 3.43 progressive passes per 90. Rico's quick thinking and style can be useful against high-intensity opponents.
It’s a simple move but it’s the nuances in his game that make Rico Lewis a special talent. Here, he holds off the Spurs player, and rather than passing it back, creates the angle to pass it to Rodri, who can progress the play.
Press-resistance
Rico Lewis’ biggest strength, is his ability to escape the press.
The press of the opposing team can be the most powerful weapon in preventing a team from building up play, and it can only be stopped with the best technical security, elite patterns, and quick combination play. Lewis can deceive his opponents with quick feints, carries the ball well, and his most important ability is to receive the ball on the half-turn. He's so quick with it that it's nearly impossible to get the ball away from him in those situations.
As explained by
, Rico Lewis does an excellent job here of evading pressure, passing the ball, and making the run to receive it in open space. He's constantly scanning the pitch, looking for the next decision to make.
This is another clip that accurately depicts Lewis' game. While he is an excellent passer, he is also willing to switch play and put in crosses. Lewis keeps the ball well under pressure and immediately plays the ball out wide, stretching the Leeds defence.
Capable in wide areas
Adept in central positions, Rico Lewis is just as capable of operating as a wide fullback, running up and down the flank to defend his own half, but also putting in crosses in the final third. He has the pace and power to drive the ball up the pitch and allow the right-winger to play inside to create, as he has demonstrated against the likes of Spurs and Sevilla.
If he inverts, City have more control in midfield, allowing the midfielders to stay advanced. If he plays out wide, City have an excellent source of chance creation and an extra man in attack, facilitating the winger to stay inside. As Pep said, he allows his teammates to thrive, as he offers them favourable conditions and environments to excel in. Quite simply put, he is ‘the glue’ of the team.
The perfect Guardiola fullback?
Rico Lewis is the right-back for Manchester City for the next ten years. His versatility, technique, and mentality allow City to be superior in defence and forward, and he adds a new dimension and new solutions to existing problems.
"There are players who play for themselves really well, but he has the ability to make all the team play better. He has this ability and it's not easy to find it. He is our little Philipp Lahm."
Huge words from Pep, and you’d best believe him. Rico Lewis is the real deal.
Unbelievable content making something that sounds so complicated uncomplicated. Great article 👍