Rico Lewis details his role in Manchester City system

Rico Lewis has reflected on his individual performance and Manchester City’s showing in a 4-1 win over Bournemouth.

Kevin De Bruyne, who missed the Leipzig game through illness, was fit enough only for the substitutes bench – but it was the use of Rico Lewis which allowed Ilkay Gundogan to decide this match before the interval.

Lewis has not started a game, nor been used at all, since City were beaten at Tottenham earlier this month, but it was his ability to cut inside which would allow Gundogan licence to drift forward – De Bruyne-like – and cause so much damage.

As well as playing a significant role in the first goal, Lewis starred throughout the 4-1 win in both defence and attack to further underline his promise in the team.

He explained to the BBC: “I love playing in this role. I have played as a midfielder before and then been a full-back so I love it. I have played there all the way through the academy but with these players around you it’s 10 times easier.”

When asked about how Pep Guardiola has helped him to develop, the 18-year-old added: “I got my rhythm quickly and did as well as I could. Pep just tells me to play my normal game but asks me to go inside alongside Rodri, to give us more control of the midfield.

“It’s about winning the ball back on the transition. It’s nice that he wants to play me and trusts me, it’s up to me to perform.

“The players in the dressing room are very experienced and have had it every year, we know to focus on ourselves and that’s the only way.” City are still two points behind Arsenal who sit at the top of the Premier League following their victory earlier in the day at Leicester City.