Our current EDS coach was Lewis’ mentor when the full-back was Under-18s captain in 2021/22, before the Bury-born defender made the step up to senior football.
Since then, our Academy graduate has gone on to become a pivotal member of Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering City side and represent England too.
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At just 19, he has already played more than 50 times for our first team and won six major medals.
Lewis has begun this season in sparkling form, equally comfortable getting up and down the wing as well as moving into central midfield and dictating play.
He has also earned effusive praise from Guardiola, who consistently reiterates how Lewis’ enthusiasm and willingness to learn make him a coach’s dream.
Reflecting on his period working with Lewis, Wilkinson echoes everything Guardiola says.
“The two years I worked with him, he was absolutely fantastic,” he began.
“But the trajectory he has gone on from then - his last game would have been the Under-18s final against Southampton - to now making senior international starts for England, the trajectory is probably ahead of anything anyone could have dreamed of.
“That’s credit to him and how much he, first and foremost, impressed the manager with not only his ability but also his work ethic and his mentality to get better.
“And then living that day-in and day-out, getting the opportunities he got and then performing has maybe put him into that next arena, really.
“The one thing about Rico is when he gets his opportunity at any level, as a person who’s worked with him, he certainly won’t be overawed by it and I think he’s one of these players who rises at whatever level he plays at.
“I don’t think we would have predicted it to go as quick as it has but we always knew he had it in him.
“Obviously having that level of ability and getting the opportunity in the modern game are two different things.
“He deserves massive credit for the way he’s earned his opportunity. He’s gone and taken it every time he’s stepped up.
“His ability is as good as it gets in terms of technically what he can do as a footballer, receiving the ball under pressure, his awareness of space, his awareness of the next pass is as good as you see in a young player and probably senior players.
“But his mentality to get better every single day, to work and how he understands the game is what separates him.
“It’s not easy to go and impress our manager so much and so quickly and obviously he’s done it in the England set-up as well.
“I think his ability combined with his work ethic and mentality gives him a real chance every time he steps up to a new level which is a credit to him and his family as well and the way they’ve brought him up.”
Black History Month
October is Black History Month in the UK.
Across the month we will be celebrating, honouring and remembering the contributions of Black people throughout Manchester City’s history.
Keep your eyes peeled on mancity.com and our official app for features, videos and interviews over the coming weeks.
Click here to see our best Black History Month content from recent years.
