da gbg bet： Pep Guardiola believes that Rico Lewis would be “considered one of the best players in the Premier League” if he was “a little bit taller.”

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Youngster made senior breakthrough last seasonFormed part of City's Treble triumphVersatility is being put to good use by bossWHAT HAPPENED?

The 18-year-old Etihad Stadium academy graduate has been making quite a name for himself on the back of a senior breakthrough in the 2022-23 campaign. Lewis has already taken in 30 first-team appearances for City and is an established member of the England U21 squad.

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Lewis’ versatility has been put to good use by Guardiola, with the talented teenager able to operate in defence and midfield – or blur those lines by filling the hybrid full-back role that City’s demanding boss has become so fond of.

WHAT THEY SAID

Lewis has energy to burn, is prepared to put a tackle in and can pick a pass. With all of that taken into account, Guardiola has told reporters of the 5ft 7in prodigy: “If he was a little bit taller he’d be considered one of the best players in the Premier League. He's an exceptional player. Last season he arrived and started to settle with us, every game he plays to the highest standards. We are really really pleased that an academy player can be a regular player, really pleased.”

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City have moved to ensure that they will be the ones to benefit from Lewis’ undoubted potential, with the youngster one of those to have signed a new contract this season that has him tied to the reigning Premier League champions through to the summer of 2028.