Rico Lewis (17 years, 346 days) is the second youngest English player to score a Champions League goal, following Jude Bellingham (17 years, 289 days) for Dortmund on 14 April 2021. Pep Guardiola hailed 17-year-old Rico Lewis' Champions League night to remember, assuring the youngster that "we don't give presents" at Manchester City.
Lewis, who was born in Bury, has been with City since he was eight years old.
He scored the Blues' equalizer in their 3-1 group stage win over Sevilla on his full debut.In doing so, he surpassed Karim Benzema as the youngest player in competition history to score on his debut.
He left the field to a standing ovation, which was heightened by the fact that he had to walk halfway around the pitch after being told by the referee to leave it on the far side when he was replaced by Joao Cancelo five minutes from time.
"We don't give presents here," Guardiola explained. "He had to work for it.
"People love academy players, but we see him every day." We know he has talent, and I am thrilled for him."Guardiola took Lewis on City's pre-season tour of the United States this summer after the club's youth coaches recommended him.
He claimed that his team realized within two minutes of training that the youngster was someone they could count on.
"He played a few minutes against Bayern Munich in pre-season, as well as in training." We felt he possessed something unique."The players had never met him before. But you can recognize good players in two minutes. They knew they could rely on him completely."
Rico Lewis Lewis became the youngest player in Champions League history to score on their debut.
Guardiola believes Lewis will have to wait because the competition for the right-back position, where Cancelo, Manuel Akanji, and John Stones - all internationals who are expected to play in the World Cup later this month - have more experience. But he will get more opportunities, possibly as soon as next week's Carabao Cup third round match against Chelsea.And that, according to Guardiola, is great news for a club that has developed players like Phil Foden, Jadon Sancho, Brahim Diaz, and Cole Palmer, who also started against Sevilla.
"Sometimes you think we'll have to buy full-backs because they're so expensive," said the City manager.
"However, we can give someone from the academy the opportunity. That's the fantasy. It is beneficial to the club's economy, and we can rely on him. I am very pleased with how they are performing."
Lewis clearly has a long road ahead of him if he is to make it at a club of City's stature.However, his start has been promising, and even seasoned professionals like former Arsenal and England defender Martin Keown, who is not easily impressed, praised Lewis on BT Sport.
"It's a big moment for him and his family, considering how many training sessions he'll have attended with the goal of representing City," he said.
"It's a dream come true for him to be able to play and score. It's just the first step, the first rung on the ladder; once you're in the first team, you'll want more of the same. This should pique his interest."
blogpay
Total Comments: 0