“Difficult to find” – Pep Guardiola details Rico Lewis rarity after stunning season start

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has hailed the effectiveness of Rico Lewis during the Blues’ opening three Premier League matches.

The 19-year-old has starred for Manchester City during the opening weeks of the new Premier League campaign, and has been rewarded for four impressive performances with a call-up to the England senior squad for fixtures against both Ireland and Finland.

Lewis was one of four Manchester City players named in Lee Carsley’s squad for the two international fixtures this month, alongside Jack Grealish, John Stones and Phil Foden.

The teenager has started all four of Manchester City’s matches so far this season, including Premier League games against Chelsea, Ipswich Town and West Ham, as Guardiola’s side secured three successive wins.

Erling Haaland, who has already scored eight goals and two hat-tricks, has been the subject of the plaudits, although Lewis’ continued performances have also drawn huge praise in recent weeks.

The 2024/25 campaign in Lewis’ third with the Manchester City first-team squad, with the right-back having already won six trophies and made over 50 appearances for the Sky Blues.

Speaking about the Englishman following another impressive showing during a 1-3 win against West Ham, Guardiola said: “Rico [Lewis] has one incredible ability for many years it was difficult to find. Always he is free, alone.

“When his mate has the ball. I don’t know what he does, but he’s free. You can pass the ball to him, and not just in positions where it’s comfortable.

“But in positions where the space is so tight, arriving in the third final. He is a good defender and can play in two or three positions. He’s playing good so he deserves to play. But every three days he cannot sustain that.”

Lewis’ start to the season has prevented Kyle Walker from getting any meaningful minutes, with the teenager also selected for the England squad ahead of the 34-year-old Manchester City captain.