Pep Guardiola boldly proclaimed that Manchester City youngster Rico Lewis could star at the club for the "next decade" following his outstanding display against Liverpool.
The 18-year-old right-back made his third start for the Citizens on Thursday as they ran out 3-2 winners and secured safe passage through to the EFL Cup quarter-finals thanks to goals from Erling Haaland, Riyad Mahrez and Nathan Ake. Bury-born Lewis was one of City's best performers in the win, impressing boss Guardiola with an all-action display up against Mohamed Salah and Co.
"First half, the academy boys played really well," the Spanish tactician began when speaking to Sky Sports post-match, also referencing fellow starlet Cole Palmer's bright performance on the left wing. "It's been a long time I've seen a performance like Rico Lewis, a long, long time ago. He's 17 or 18 years old and has played against Liverpool, against big stars up front.
"The way he played with and without the ball, we are incredibly lucky to have this player for the next decade. Hopefully, the club can take [care of] him, the game he played was exceptional."
Having already scored his first goal for the Citizens on his full debut, a 3-1 victory over Sevilla in the Champions League, Lewis also shone on his second appearance when Chelsea came to town before the World Cup break. But it was his third outing which caught the eyes of many, including ex-City defender and fellow academy graduate Micah Richards.
"He was brilliant, the positions he was picking up, the way he pressed high and was getting on the ball, you know City like to have a third centre half then roam in midfield," Richards, who also made his City debut as a teenager, told Sky Sports of Lewis. "I thought his decision making was outstanding; when to go, when to drop off.
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"I watched him in the Champions League against Sevilla. For someone so young, a local lad, through the academy, I think he is going to be a superstar. I rarely put that pressure on young players, because I don't think it is nice if they don't make it to that level, but this is a special player we are seeing."
Jamie Carragher was then next to heap praise on Lewis as he put his Liverpool ties aside to be in agreement with Richards and Guardiola. "For a manager to put a young defender in, they will make mistakes at time, but you want them to cope physically," Carragher astutely pointed out.
"As a young player, he will improve experience wise and gain maturity, but he showed he could compete physically with men's football."
