Pep Guardiola says Rico Lewis has made a big impact since breaking into the first team squad and added that it is the reason why he already has so many medals.

The former Academy player will be part of the Manchester City squad heading to London for our Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday at 19:30 (UK).

Still only 20, Lewis already has an impressive haul of honours having helped us to the Treble in 2022/2023 and three more trophies the following year including our fourth successive Premier League title.

His flexibility has meant that he has taken on a number of roles in the side – playing on both flanks as a full-back and moving into midfield on occasions.

More recently, he has been a regular at right-back and Guardiola says he has been exceptional in defence.

MATCH PREVIEW | SPURS V CITY

“Since arriving in the first team he’s been really good,” the City boss said in his pre-match news conference.

“He’s a guy who people might say isn’t a good defender but he’s exceptional, so smart and intelligent.

“His physicality isn’t like a defender here but he makes the game better since he arrived.

“He won a lot of titles from his early age. And his impact has been really good.”

Watch Pep’s press conference in the video player above…