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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
George Hodgson

Pep Guardiola underlines his perfect Man City mentor status with next prodigy

A Manchester City youngster making their debut has a unique vibe compared to anywhere else in the Premier League.

Take a moment to stop and consider just how good you have to be to get here. These opportunities do not get handed out very often; the ultimate impression has to have been made. Firstly, catch the eye of Pep Guardiola. Then earn his trust. And then prove that you should be in this machine of a team over the other elite talent at the Catalan's disposal.

It's been a 10-year journey for Rico Lewis - the latest boy wonder to still be standing, now setting the Manchester turf alight. This has been Lewis' club since he was a boy and if the early signs are anything to go by, it may well be his for a while longer. Lewis' introduction to centre stage couldn't have been much more enjoyable: substitute appearances in 4-0, 6-0, 5-0 and 4-0 wins over Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest, FC Copenhagen and Southampton.

Also read: Every word from Pep Guardiola ahead of Arsenal clash

And then Lewis, backed and supported by the best in the business, started to tick them off one by one: City's youngest scorer in the Champions League, starts in wins over Chelsea, Liverpool and Leeds United. He kept Joao Cancelo and Kyle Walker out of the team in the first half of the campaign. And Guardiola believes he will be able to play in the No.8 and No.10 positions comfortably. No pressure, kid.

Lewis, though, has not once looked dazzled by the bright lights of the Premier League. This thing is meant to be tough; the Premier League and the expectation that comes with it has chewed up and spat out too many next-big-things to count. It'll do well to even remotely faze City's No.82 - whose ability to take information on board has impressed teammate John Stones.

And while the player himself deserves all the adulation that comes his way, the role of Guardiola here - once again - cannot be underestimated. There seems great clarity in the process for those who City have true belief in: this won't be plain sailing every step of the way, but be rest assured that this will work out.

There has been tough love alongside trust - Lewis was taken off at half-time against Wolves, with the City chief wanting more 'solidity' in his backline. Even then there was great detail for Lewis to digest and work on. And, on paper at least, this season has seen him utilised in the perfect manner.

Dipped in during comfortable wins to begin with, followed by back-to-back starts against Sevilla and Chelsea, and then a month out of the limelight - with the hype still alive, but under no threat. Lewis was then thrust back in over the intense festive period, playing his part in more big league wins, while everybody else talked about Arsenal.

Lewis has made two appearances post-February, with his tally for the season standing at 19 - 10 of those in the Premier League, five in the FA Cup, two in the EFL Cup and as many in the Champions League. City are now gunning for another league title under Guardiola, but Lewis is not being exposed to that pressure cooker just yet.

Whatever happens for City as a team this season, it will have been a significant one for Lewis - who has been fast-tracked from the academy and never looked back. This is a career in its infancy and the ceiling is exciting.

The personality and bravery he has shown on this supposedly intimidating stage sure have been fun to witness. Lewis is the one who's made it happen, with a little bit of help from his friends along the way.

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