Pep Guardiola seems to have found a hidden gem in Rico Lewis, a player who is quickly becoming Manchester City’s ultimate utility man. Remarkably, Lewis didn’t cost City a penny, yet he’s solving multiple problems at once—covering the roles of Kyle Walker, Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne, and even Julian Alvarez.
Guardiola has had the privilege of coaching some of football’s greatest talents, from Lionel Messi to Erling Haaland. But when he says, “I’ve never coached a player like Rico Lewis,” it’s clear something special is happening. While Lewis may not be a household name yet, his potential to become a quintessential ‘Guardiola player’—someone who can thrive in almost any position—is already on full display.
This season, Lewis has taken versatility to new heights. Despite Guardiola making six changes to the starting lineup against Slovan Bratislava, Lewis retained his spot but shifted higher up the field, all while keeping an eye on his defensive duties at right-back. While the Slovakian side isn’t the toughest opposition, they still employed a familiar strategy: trying to physically stop Lewis rather than predict his next move. “If he’s within kicking range, kick him” seemed to be their approach.
At just 18 years old, Lewis has already started nine games this season, leapfrogging Kyle Walker in Guardiola’s hierarchy. His ability to seamlessly switch between roles—whether as a full-back, a number six, eight, or even a false nine—has been key to his rise. Over the past few weeks, he’s added even more positions to his growing repertoire, including second striker and number 10. Lewis has mastered the art of being everywhere at once, leaving opponents struggling to keep track of him.
Tuesday’s game against Bratislava showcased just how far he has come. When City had possession, Lewis was lurking near Erling Haaland, exploiting the spaces where Julian Alvarez once thrived. He repeatedly found Jeremy Doku on the wing and even delivered a perfect cut-back for Haaland, a signature Guardiola play. In the blink of an eye, Lewis would then drop deeper to mop up possession, displaying the intelligence and awareness usually associated with top-tier midfielders.
His assist for Haaland’s goal was a work of art—drifting through the midfield, he suddenly accelerated into a different gear, sending a defence-splitting pass. It was a moment that wouldn’t look out of place in a highlight reel featuring Kevin De Bruyne or David Silva. And, just as quickly, Lewis was back at right-back to fend off an attack from Slovan.
In essence, Lewis has become the glue holding City’s system together. He’s filled the void left by Walker, compensated for Rodri’s absence, provided creativity in place of De Bruyne, and even linked up play like Alvarez. It’s an impressive feat for a player who just a few months ago declared his desire to play more in midfield. Now, he’s everywhere—and he seems to love it.
When Haaland was subbed off, Lewis briefly found himself in the number nine position. By the end of the match, he was playing on the left wing. His versatility is so impressive, you get the sense he could even slot in as a goalkeeper if needed.
Now with three assists in nine games this season, Lewis is proving indispensable. Guardiola is reworking his system without key players, but one thing is clear: Rico Lewis is a crucial part of the solution.
After the game, Guardiola summed it up perfectly: “The way Rico is playing, there are no words. He does everything. He’s playing at the highest level. You can count on him; he always has the ability to be free, makes incredible kilometres, and is always there. His intelligence is his greatest attribute, and as a manager, that’s massively important.”
Rico Lewis may be young, but he’s quickly becoming one of City’s most vital players, a true Swiss Army knife in Guardiola’s ever-evolving system.
