Last season, Phil Foden delivered a breakout campaign that not only helped Manchester City lift the Premier League title but also established him as one of the shining stars in top-flight football. Live Cricket BPL reporters highlight that Foden is far from an isolated success. Manchester City’s academy continues to produce talents who make waves across the league. Players like Oscar Bobb and Rico Lewis emerged with promising performances, offering further evidence of the club’s exceptional development pipeline.
According to Live Cricket BPL observations, both Bobb and Lewis are brimming with talent and potential. Fans are rightfully excited about what these young players bring to the table. In a recent interview, Pep Guardiola addressed Rico Lewis’s progression, offering high praise. He emphasized not only Lewis’s technical foundation and reading of the game but also his adaptability—particularly in the tactical system Guardiola favors, which blends wing play with central midfield responsibilities.
Guardiola pointed out that Lewis frequently drifts from the left into central areas, a smart tactical approach. “If a fullback just runs up and down the line and crosses the ball, that’s not ideal,” said Guardiola. “But when Lewis comes inside, makes quick passes, and contributes to the attack from central zones, that’s exactly what we want.”
In recent seasons, Guardiola has redefined the role of the fullback, turning it into a tactical blueprint adopted by coaches across Europe—including Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta. He transformed John Stones into a hybrid center-midfielder, developed Kyle Walker into a modern fullback-midfield hybrid, and made João Cancelo’s overlapping runs a signature style. Different players have different characteristics, and Guardiola is pleased to see that Lewis fits seamlessly into this evolving tactical mold.
Guardiola is clear that a player’s on-pitch contribution depends on their abilities, not the coach’s wishes. “Some players are naturally comfortable in central areas, others are not. If someone doesn’t have the instincts or skills to play inside, they’ll naturally prefer staying out wide.” This season, Lewis has already made four appearances for City, delivering one assist and earning a call-up to the England national team.
England manager Gareth Southgate appears to be embracing Guardiola’s system, incorporating Lewis’s unique role into the national squad’s plans. This tactical consistency between club and country will only accelerate Lewis’s growth.
Some may criticize Guardiola’s personality or tire of his growing trophy cabinet, but when it comes to tactics and innovation, there’s no denying his influence is nothing short of revolutionary. His impact has reshaped modern football, setting a new standard for positional play and team dynamics.
Lewis and Bobb, both products of City’s academy and long-time teammates, are now forming a bond that could anchor Manchester City’s next era. Live Cricket BPL analysts predict this duo has the potential to become the club’s backbone for the next decade—continuing the legacy of Guardiola’s football evolution.