Pep Guardiola also spared some kind words for John Stones after Manchester City’s 1-0 victory over Stamford Bridge.
Pep Guardiola has praised the impact of Rico Lewis following Manchester City’s Premier League win over Chelsea on Thursday.
The champions were far off their best in the opening 45 minutes as an under-strength Chelsea side dominated for long spells. City lacked rhythm and intensity in the first half but a double change at the break helped resurrect a dismal display.
Experienced full-backs Kyle Walker and Joao Cancelo were replaced by Lewis and Manuel Akanji, while Jack Grealish and Riyad Mahrez were introduced soon after and combined on 63 minutes to score the only goal of the game. City looked so much more composed with the ball-playing Lewis in the team, and the teenager played a pivotal role in City’s second-half fightback.
Speaking after the match, Guardiola lauded Lewis’ contribution, claiming he ‘changed the game’. “Rico has the ability to make his mates play better,” the Catalan told Sky Sports. “There are players who play really good for themselves, but he has the ability to make all the team play better.
“Every movement he does, he knows exactly to open inside and what to do. Playing at the level he does against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup, against Liverpool and today, he changed the game.
“We didn’t play well in the first half, maybe because I admire and say thank you to Joao for not playing in his position and Rodri not in his position,” he added. “We decided to put a line-up to adapt to the players on the pitch if they decide to play five in the back. But the second half was much better in all departments. It was a big result for us.”
Explaining the decision to play Cancelo in a more advanced role, Guardiola said: “Joao struggled playing his position but I thought the space would be there, he is good at one on ones in the final third. There are players who need to come back after the World Cup to their best form and hopefully in the next few games it will come”
While Guardiola seemed to imply Cancelo has struggled since coming back from Qatar, it’s the complete opposite for John Stones, who was named man of the match at Stamford Bridge. The defender put in a goal-saving challenge in the first half to stop a Christian Pulisic shot, and was the most consistent performer across the 90 minutes.
“He played an extraordinary World Cup. John can adapt perfectly in the build up with three wider, his calmness and composure,” opined the City manager. “He is playing his best levels. He was the first signing when I arrived seven years ago and he is stable and his mood is fantastic.”
Pep Guardiola makes Rico Lewis statement after stunning Man City change
Manchester City were helped in their 1-0 win over Chelsea by the half-time substitution bringing Rico Lewis onto the pitch
Man City fans chanted for Rico Lewis before Pep Guardiola purred over the defender
Pep Guardiola said that Rico Lewis is fundamental to the Manchester City team after he sparked a drastic turnaround against Chelsea.
The 18-year-old came on for the experienced Joao Cancelo at half-time while Kyle Walker was also hooked as Guardiola recognised that his experimental formation had not worked at Stamford Bridge. With Rodri moving back into his natural position, City effectively went from having no defensive midfielders to having two.
Lewis was involved in the goal – receiving a pass from Manu Akanji and shuttling it onto eventual goalscorer Riyad Mahrez – and his composure helped City put in a much better performance. More importantly for the manager, the Radcliffe youngster inspired his teammates to be better versions of themselves with a talent that is extremely rare to find in a senior player never mind a rookie starting out at the top level.
“This young boy has the ability and quality to not just play good, but to make his mates better. This is so difficult to find,” said a delighted Guardiola.
“When he came in Rodri played better, Kevin played better, Riyad played better, he has the talent to do this. Since we came back he is playing and right now he is fundamental to us, he’s a key player for us the way we’re playing right now.
“The dynamic for Rico – tac-tac, move, right, left, inside – helped everyone have that rhythm, that’s why he changed the game. He changed the game with his dynamic from minute one.”
Source: manchesterworld.uk; manchestereveningnews.co.uk
