Rodri’s Severe Injury Not a Concern? The Guardian: Lewis is Guardiola’s Perfect Replacement

Rodri suffered a knee injury during a Premier League match, suspected to be an ACL tear, which may rule him out for the rest of the season. Although Manchester City have remained undefeated in Rodri’s absence, Guardiola still needs to find a suitable replacement, and according to The Guardian, young player Lewis could be the perfect substitute.

Guardiola has referred to the 19-year-old Lewis as “our little Lahm,” drawing a parallel with the legendary defender Philipp Lahm under his management at Bayern Munich. Lahm was renowned for his excellent game-reading ability and versatility between defensive and midfield roles. Similarly, Lewis, despite being a right-back, can also play in midfield and exhibits a high football IQ.

This season, in the four matches where Lewis started for Manchester City, the team won all of them, proving his capabilities. He demonstrated outstanding tackling skills and passing accuracy, notably achieving a 93.2% pass success rate and making four tackles in the match against West Ham United, standing out in his performance.

The Guardian believes that Lewis is the best replacement after Rodri’s injury. He can play in midfield, possesses excellent tackling skills, and has a good understanding of the game. Although he still needs to improve his passing accuracy and vision to reach Rodri’s level, he can support Manchester City’s offense while ensuring the team’s defensive stability.

Other alternatives include Gundogan and Matheus Nunes, but Lewis is considered the best choice because he fits better into Guardiola’s tactical system and can help Manchester City pursue a fifth consecutive title.

The Guardian notes that due to the Premier League charges against Manchester City, Guardiola might face immense pressure, and this could be his last season with the club, so he needs to ensure the team’s success, and the rise of Lewis could be key.

Lewis, with his outstanding performances and similarities to Rodri, is expected to seize the opportunity created by Rodri’s injury, becoming an indispensable member of Manchester City’s midfield and helping the team achieve success throughout the season.