Manchester City defender John Stones has hailed Rico Lewis as "a sponge", as the youngster continues to absorb information and learn from Pep Guardiola while in training.
Lewis was named in the starting XI for the 1-1 draw against Everton on New Year's Eve. The 18-year-old has now been named in Guardiola's first team for all three of their matches after the World Cup break.
The Catalan manager has now trusted the teenager to start against Liverpool, Leeds and Everton, with the defender continuing to shine for City. Lewis made headlines back in November when he became the youngest-ever player to score on their first start in the Champions League.
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Since his goal against Sevilla, the full-back has not looked back and fellow defender Stones has now taken the time to praise Lewis. The centre-back waxed lyrical over the youngster's recent development and called for the starlet to continue learning with each and every training session.
“I think when we have played or in training when we have trained with him [Lewis], it is about him learning the roles off the manager and learning what the manager wants from him," Stones told club media.
“Then it is about us fine tuning what we have learnt over the years of playing. He has been really good at taking that advice and giving everything. As a young lad that is all you can do, just keep being a sponge by taking everything in, learning as much as you can and enjoying the experience.
“He has come up against some incredible strikers and forward players and that only does us well when we are coming up against Erling [Haaland] and Kevin [de Bruyne] and the same for him.
“The game time as a young kid is massive and he has done so well so far. Hopefully it can continue.”
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