Rico Lewis, a promising 19-year-old footballer from Manchester City, is determined to seize his opportunity in midfield, both at his club and potentially with the England national team. He strongly believes that England should adopt a playing style similar to Manchester City’s, emphasizing control and dominance in games. According to Lewis, this approach has proven successful for City, having won four consecutive Premier League titles, and could be a winning formula for England as well.
Despite his young age, Lewis speaks with confidence, not arrogance, about his views on the game. His inclusion in England’s interim manager Lee Carsley’s first squad is a testament to his growing reputation. Alongside other young, technically gifted players like Angel Gomes of Lille and Morgan Gibbs-White of Nottingham Forest, Lewis represents a new wave of talent in the national team. Carsley, known for his emphasis on exciting and attacking football, has made it clear that he intends to implement his own style within the England squad. This includes using players like Lewis, who are familiar with his methods from their time together in the Under-21s.
Lewis’s recent recall to the England squad is well-deserved. Although he was left out of Gareth Southgate’s squad for the European Championship, he saw it as an opportunity to prepare himself for the upcoming season. Knowing that his City teammates, Kyle Walker and John Stones, would likely miss the start of the season due to their involvement in the Euros, Lewis worked hard to ensure he was ready to step up. His efforts paid off, as he has been included in every game for City so far this season.
A significant part of his preparation involved training at the Phoenix Muay Thai boxing gym in Whitefield, near Bury, where Lewis grew up. The gym, owned by his father, Rick, a two-time British champion, played a crucial role in his development. Lewis believes the discipline, balance, and agility he gained from Thai boxing have directly benefited his football career, particularly in his new role as a midfielder. He sees himself more as a midfielder than a full-back, preferring to play as a number eight, where he can be involved in attacking positions. In Pep Guardiola’s system at City, Lewis is given the freedom to step into the midfield, highlighting the fluidity and rotation that characterize City’s play.
Guardiola’s influence on Lewis is evident, as the young player speaks about the “concepts” taught by the manager, focusing on how players move in relation to each other and adapt to the opposition. Lewis emphasizes that these teachings are more about feeling and instinct rather than rigid positioning, which allows him to transition smoothly between defense and midfield.
Given the intense competition for a regular starting place at City, one might assume that Lewis would consider going out on loan to gain more playing time. However, he has never entertained the idea. For Lewis, training daily with the best players and manager in the world at City is an invaluable experience that cannot be replicated elsewhere. He points to Phil Foden’s similar path as a source of inspiration and confidence that he, too, can break into the first team through hard work and dedication.
Lewis’s call-up to the England squad is another significant milestone in his career. Carsley, in addressing the 23-man squad ahead of their Nations League matches against the Republic of Ireland and Finland, emphasized the importance of dominating and controlling games—echoing the philosophy that Lewis is already familiar with from his time at City. For Lewis, this alignment between his club and national team experiences only strengthens his resolve to make the most of his opportunities and continue developing as a top-level midfielder.
In summary, Rico Lewis is a young footballer who is ready to take the next step in his career, both at Manchester City and potentially with the England national team. His confidence in his playing style, shaped by his experiences under Pep Guardiola, and his determination to excel in midfield, are driving him forward. With his recent call-up to the England squad and his continued development at City, Lewis is poised to make a significant impact in the coming years.
