Former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha has told Rico Lewis that his performance will have a big impact on the club's academy.
Lewis was handed an opportunity to impress on Wednesday night as Pep Guardiola handed the right-back his debut in the Champions League. Despite Sevilla taking the lead in the first half, the Blues were back on track when the 17-year-old scored to bring his team level.
Julian Alvarez turned the tables on the Spanish side 20 minutes later before Riyad Mahrez put the game out of sight. However the night belonged to Lewis and Onuoha could not overemphasise the importance the match on City's youngsters.
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"That goal and that performance - along with how everyone else played from the academy - that’s a huge moment for the academy," the ex-defender told the club's official website. "I don’t think we can put into words how big that is.
"Because that means something to everyone coming up from the academy now. If a player signs this week for the under 8s and he’s watching somebody who has been on the path he has been on come out and play in this game, it speaks volumes.
"And it’s not like it’s any game – you are seeing youngsters play in the Champions League and to have an impact in the way that they did. They are being trusted amongst some of the best players of this generation and they look the part.
"How did they arrive there? They arrived there with their talent and understanding and the infrastructure they were put into place at this amazing football club.
"It’s a huge moment – we can dine on this for the next 10 years. It’s incredible.
"95 per cent of people who play football in England will never play in the Champions League – and Rico’s played in it and scored in it. For the Academy as a whole, tell me how it isn’t a place to flourish and grow as a footballer and to set yourself up for a career going forwards whether it’s at City or somewhere else."
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