Rico Lewis Admits Man City’s Tough Season Has Taught Him Valuable Lessons and Will Make the Team Stronger

Rico Lewis believes that both he and Manchester City will come back even stronger next season after going through a tough and challenging campaign.

City have had a tough season so far but their recent 5-2 win over Crystal Palace gave fans a big boost. That important result helped Manchester City move above Chelsea and climb into the Premier League’s top five. With a Champions League spot still in reach and an FA Cup semi-final coming up, Lewis says the team is now focused on ending the season strong.

The 20-year-old defender returned to the starting lineup in the match against Palace after losing his spot to Matheus Nunes, a midfielder who had been filling in at right back. For Lewis being benched was tough especially as he had started the season well and was praised for his performances. But instead of complaining, he’s chosen to learn from it.

“At the beginning of the season, everything was going well for me and the team,” Lewis said. “We were playing great football and I was happy. But then things changed. Nobody expected so many injuries, and it affected everyone.”

Lewis, who has already won several trophies with City admitted this season has been different and not in a good way. But he sees it as a necessary part of his growth as a player.

“Since joining the first team, all I’ve known is winning trophies,” he said. “But I always told myself to stay focused, because I knew that football has its ups and downs. This season has had more tough moments than usual, and it’s helped me learn a lot. Next time we face a similar situation, I’ll be more prepared and the team will be too.”

The young England international also praised his teammates who have continued to fight through difficult times, saying, “Only we know how much effort we’ve put in, especially during the hard times.”

Lewis is just happy to be back on the pitch and playing for the club he loves. “It’s always amazing to play for Manchester City. Even if you’ve been out of the team, starting a game again is a great feeling.”

It’s not clear what will happen next. Guardiola might keep Lewis at right back or switch back to Nunes. With the summer transfer window coming, City may also look to bring in a new right back, which may affect Lewis’s future role. But for now, the young defender is focused on helping his team finish the season on a high note and showing his worth.