Pep Guardiola has tipped 17-year-old Manchester City talent Rico Lewis to fill in for injuries in the senior squad following an update that Kyle Walker could be out for weeks on the treatment table.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News after City’s 5-0 win against FC Copenhagen, the Catalan coach tipped Lewis to feature more for the first-team in the coming weeks after the teenager featured this week at the Etihad Stadium for the reigning Premier League champions alongside fellow academy fullback Josh Wilson-Esbrand.
Both prospects had already made their senior debuts earlier this season, yet with injuries starting to pile up for City, Lewis and Wilson-Esbrand could feature heavily for Guardiola in the weeks to come, especially in the UEFA Champions League and League Cup.
With Phil Foden one of the Premier League’s best players, City turning to the academy might be a good move in the long term following this latest injury blow for Walker. And given Lewis’ impressive display against Copenhagen this week, Guardiola is seemingly keen to put his faith in the 17-year-old.
Guardiola said when asked about Walker’s injury and who could replace the defender at right-back: “With the problems we have, Kyle will be out for a while and we don’t have many options at left-back or right-back. Rico showed me again that we can rely on him perfectly.”
Rico Lewis has to take unique opportunity with both hands
Whilst it is likely that Joao Cancelo will return to right-back for upcoming Premier League and European games, there’s a strong chance that Lewis will get regular minutes with Walker out on the sidelines, and the defender has to take this opportunity with both hands.
The teenager looked at ease this week against a top side in Copenhagen, and Lewis will doubt be looking to build this momentum in other games this calendar year, especially with City breezing through their Champions League group already.
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