Positional Makeover: Pep Sees Potential in ‘Outstanding’ Man City Star’s New Role
Rico Lewis may see more action as a number eight for Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola in 2023–24.
Since making his debut at the Etihad Stadium in August 2022, Lewis has been seriously impressed.
Lewis plays right back predominantly.
However, the youthful player occasionally played two positions for City during a game last season.
When City had the ball, Lewis would support Rodri in midfield while playing as a right-back when defending.
Pep Guardiola later tried it out on England star John Stones, and the experiment was a complete success.
Lewis will be looking to increase his playing time after receiving multiple loan requests from other clubs this summer.
And now there’s a theory that he might be playing a position he doesn’t play frequently.
Rico Lewis might be in line to start as Manchester City’s number eight.
On the Let Me Talk podcast, Lewis came up for discussion.
Sam Lee, a journalist, was talking about City’s potential to play on the right wing when he suggested Lewis.
He said: “Now it’s like, if they can’t find a winger, then Bernardo and Foden could stay on the right. That may be where they start looking and Gabri Veiga comes back into it or something, if they decide to do that.
“That wasn’t what I was told last night. It was more than Rico Lewis will be used as a number eight.”
Lewis put in a superb display for City recently in the first half against Bayern Munich when he operated a bit higher up the pitch than usual.
He played as a number eight alongside James McAtee.
His performance drew praise from both Paul Dickov and Steve Howey, who branded him ‘outstanding’ after his display against Bayern.
Pep Guardiola would be making a major act of faith if he did this.
Therefore, it appears that whether City signs a winger this summer will have a significant impact on this.
But if Lewis did decide to be a number eight option, that would be a significant act of faith from Guardiola.
Lewis has primarily partnered with Rodri in holding midfield and at right back.
He did a great job against Bayern while playing a little higher up.
But given his lack of experience, it would be a bold move on Pep’s part to make it his new regular position.
But if that ends up being the plan, Lewis has a good chance of pulling it off.
He is an excellent young player who is very smart and tactically astute. It will probably be Pep’s next genius move.