How Man City Have Invented A New Position For Rico Lewis

Manchester City began their Premier League title defence with an impressive 2-0 victory over Chelsea this weekend. But while the headlines will be reserved for Erling Haaland and, bizarrely, Raheem Sterling, it was actually City's least experienced player who stood out during the performance.

Roving from right-back to be one of his team's most attacking players, Adam Clery examines how Rico Lewis isn't just a new spin on the 'inverted' full-back, but an evolution of the full-back position entirely.

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[FourFourTwo]

🏃Hello! As mentioned, I'm doing the Great North Run in September to raise money for Mind. They provide vital mental health services in the UK, and I can personally attest to him important that can be for people. A small amount goes way further than you might think, so any donations are enormously appreciated. Thank you

[samkelisomabaso]

I recently noticed how Rico runs on the half space and pulling the cb out position

[chronicjay]

Pep with a new surprise for the season.... he's really after the five afterall 😮😮😮

[AWPascal-to]

seems like such a good FPL pickup- the attacking output of a midfielder while taking up a defender spot

[papayavvv]

This is why Pep is a masterclass of a manager.

[J_M_C_M]

They're playing the 3-4-3 diamond that Cruyff and Michels used to play, it's not a brand new tactic but nevertheless, it's total football and pep is a master of it and it's very pleasing on the eye.

[samuelconway]

Weren't girona using a 3-1-6 last season?

[BiggestBirdonMars]

Thank you for pointing out how good rico was cuz savio and doku and kovacic got the spotlight but he put in such a good shift
I honestly wish his size and physicality was better cuz he already has the ball IQ, if he has the phyicality in midfield hed be recognized more
Hes so smart bro
He rarely makes a bad decision

[coleondus]

Ange Postecoglou has been using his fullbacks like this for past 2 years. So all credit to him. Spurs fullbacks have been doing what Lewis did, for the past 1 year. Porro scores goals in the box, so Porro is best example. He plays like a pocket NO. 8(right side of ST.

[IggyGoesPop]

I can just imagine David Moyes watching this how and then saying to himself ... "What is this guy talking about ... I simply don't get it"

[Zefo_No]

Isn't this part of what Girona were doing last season?
They were also overloading the 6 on one side.
It was the most effective method against low blocks.

[HumphreysTactico]

Isn't it kinda the same as what Udogie was doing last season?

[Francis.....]

Anyone who understands basketball at a high level understands the evolution of football tactics for the last 20 years and sees where it is heading.

[voltrox]

12:32 Dani Carvajal, remontada against Almeria

[bandile]

I enjoy watching Rico Lewis play sooo much I am glad that it's not just me who appreciates him, still too young to call him a genius though, really do not want to jinx him

[shaocoyle]

only pep can thought of changing a right back to a cam😂genius

[frauhorn]

I watched Rico Lewis playing for the U/21s last year. That team was stacked with the likes of Palmer, Madueke, Harvey Elliot. Yet somehow Rico Lewis was the best player on the pitch. I don't even know why; he's small, not that quick, but he's amazing.

[yussefhazem]

Same goes for Udogie last season. If you were watching spurs last season you'd say he was a second striker even with the amount of runs in the box.

[victorodulate]

On the contrary. Erik ten Hag started this 3-1-6 shape last season, right from the first game but he didn't get any particular plaudits for it because he didn't particularly have all the right profiles to make it work.

[Not_Tom_Simons]

How do you think Ilkay Gundogan would fit at City this season if he would make a return