City have been hugely successful under Guardiola, winning four Premier League titles, four League Cups and an FA Cup.
But the boss believes that Lewis’s energy is driving him and the players on to win even more.
Guardiola signed a signed a two-year contract extension in November that will keep him at City until the summer of 2025.
He says the fact that ‘still we are there’ in fighting for the big prizes makes him proud – and also eager to continue working together with the team.
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And he stresses that Lewis plays a key role in the motivation levels of the group.
“I said many times, what I’m most proud of is that still we are there,” said Guardiola.
“In the Carabao Cup, still we are there - beating Chelsea and Liverpool - still we are there. That’s why I’m so proud. That’s what gives me the feeling that I want to continue to work with these guys in this club knowing that if we drop it will not be enough.
“Because when you don’t win when we invested like we did six or seven years ago, and you don’t win anything, the first time you want to win, you have an extra [edge]. But we got it.
“Some players have five Premier Leagues. Why in your mind should you fight again?
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“But that’s why we need Rico Lewis - because for him it’s wow, it’s new. ‘I want to be there, I want to play, I want to stay a long time here, I want to win one Premier League’.
“And this energy is contagious. He gives it to me and he gives it to the players.
“It puts pressure for the other ones. And it is so necessary.”
