Who Is Rico Lewis?
Rico Mark Lewis, born on 21 November 2004 in Bury, Greater Manchester, is a versatile and highly promising English footballer—typically deployed as a full-back or defensive midfielder for Manchester City and the England national team.
Rico Lewis is widely regarded as an excellent young player, especially considering his age (20 in 2025).
Here’s why he’s so highly rated:
🔹 Strengths
Tactical Intelligence: Pep Guardiola has called him “one of the best players I’ve ever coached” because of his ability to read the game and adapt in multiple roles.
Versatility: Can play as a right-back, inverted full-back, or defensive midfielder—rare flexibility at the top level.
Composure on the Ball: Plays with maturity beyond his years, rarely panics under pressure.
Work Rate & Positioning: Covers ground quickly, presses well, and stays disciplined tactically.
Big-Game Mentality: Scored in his first Champions League start at 17, and impressed in City’s treble-winning season.
🔹 Achievements Already
Treble winner (Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League) in 2022–23 with Man City.
Became England Man of the Match on debut (vs North Macedonia, 2023).
Became England Man of the Match on debut (vs North Macedonia, 2023).
Regular starter/rotation player in a Guardiola system full of world-class stars.
🔹 Weaknesses / Areas to Grow
Physicality: At 5’7 (1.69m), he’s smaller than most defenders, which can be a challenge aerially.
Consistency: Still young—needs to maintain high levels across a full season.
Attacking Output: Solid defensively and in build-up, but could add more goals/assists if he wants to match elite attacking full-backs.
⚽ Verdict
He’s already a proven talent at the highest level, and if he continues developing, he could become one of the best modern full-backs/midfield hybrids in Europe.
Here’s the latest on Rico Lewis’s transfer rumours, as of August 2025:
Nottingham Forest:Strong interest, wage-doubling offer, bid rejected at ~£25m, City hold out for >£30m
Rico Lewis’s stance:Publicly reaffirmed he wants to stay at City—his “dream club”
Guardiola’s view:Confident Lewis will remain, but left door slightly ajar
Contract situation:New 5-year contract (to 2030) reportedly agreed to keep him
Other clubs interested:Tottenham, Villa, Brighton, Everton, and European clubs, but less advanced
Bottom line:
•As of now, all signs point to Rico Lewis remaining at Manchester City:
•He has publicly committed to staying.
•City have rejected offers and are preparing to lock him down on a new long-term contract.
•Pep Guardiola affirms his importance to the squad despite persistent interest from several clubs.
