‘One of the best I ever trained’: Pep Guardiola makes bold claim over Man City teenager

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola heaped lavish praise on Rico Lewis following his star turn in Wednesday night’s Champions League victory over RB Leipzig, describing the teenager as one of the best players he has ever trained.

Lewis, primarily a full-back, has shown his versatility since breaking into Guardiola’s first team last season, and he was handed a start in centre-midfield alongside lynchpin Rodri at the Red Bull Arena.

The 18-year-old played a huge part in City’s opening goal, linking up well with Bernardo Silva down the right flank before bursting into the box and cutting a cross into the patch of fellow academy graduate Phil Foden, who made the net ripple with a wonderful first-time finish.

Leipzig equalised just three minutes after the break through Lois Openda, but late strikes from Julian Alvarez and Jeremy Doku – two inspired substitutions from Guardiola – helped the Citizens claim maximum points and return to winning ways following back-to-back domestic defeats.

While the impact of Alvarez and Doku was key to City’s success, Lewis was a standout performer throughout the 90 minutes for the visitors, contributing at both ends of the pitch and showing his composure and class when in possession.

Guardiola heaped praise on the teenager after the full-time whistle and the former Barcelona boss, who has worked with the likes of Lionel Messi among many others during his glistening managerial career, believed Lewis is up there with the best he has ever coached.

Discussing Lewis’s impressive performance in an interview with TNT Sports, Guardiola said: “What a player. What a player. 18 years old. I have been a manager for 14, 15 years training unbelievable players.

“To find a player like him playing in the pockets, how he has to move in holding midfield, full-back coming inside moving in the spaces – he is one of the best I ever trained by far.”

Guardiola added: ‘It is difficult to find someone like him. He’s just 18 years old, he has a huge personality, can play in four or five positions, he isn’t scared. his defending is really good.

“He is a humble guy, doesn’t talk much, but has the appreciation of all his mates.

“He didn’t play much this season – last season he was a key point and helped us understand what we should do in our build up. Today was proof again. This season he hasn’t played as much but he is going to play a lot.”

Foden, who was named Man of the Match, lauded Lewis’s performance against Leipzig, telling mancity.com: “He did brilliant to pull it back to me. Two academy boys linking up, it’s nice to see.

“He’s the one who changes the tempo for us when we need it. He’s sharp in the midfield and he breaks the lines. He’s a great talent to have. He made us play better today for sure.”

Lewis was handed just his second start in the Champions League versus Leipzig since making his full European debut against Sevilla in November last year when he became City’s youngster-ever scorer in the competition as well as the youngest player to score on his first start in Europe’s premier club tournament.

The youngster has made a total of 29 senior appearances for the Citizens in all competitions, including six so far this season, and he will be in contention to keep his place in the starting lineup when Guardiola’s side return to Premier League action against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.