When Pep Guardiola says he has never coached a player like Rico Lewis, it's easy to see why. He has coached the best player in the world in Lionel Messi, plus prolific goalscoring machines like Robert Lewandowski, Sergio Aguero and Erling Haaland.
He has developed the world's best defenders into all-round midfielders, and nurtured others who will go down in history as the best to play the game.
And while it is very, very early days, Rico Lewis has the potential to be defined as the perfect 'Guardiola player'. He is someone without a position, who can play everywhere at once and is starting to add an attacking threat to his game. ALSO READ: Man City player ratings vs Slovan Bratislava as Rico Lewis shines and Phil Foden sends message ALSO READ: Man City felt Pep Guardiola wrath but Erling Haaland brought calm amid chaotic 'holiday' With six changes made to his Manchester City side against Slovan Bratislava, Lewis kept his spot but was needed further forward while still looking over his shoulder at right-back.
Slovan are not the kind of opposition who Lewis will be fortunate enough to face every week as they defended deep and sieved chances.
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