'So proud of him, he deserves it' - Man City starlet Rico Lewis earns praise after debut

The Manchester City talent conveyor belt has shown no signs of slowing down with Rico Lewis the latest to graduate to the first team.

At just 17 years of age, Lewis was handed his Premier League debut by Pep Guardiola on Saturday in City's comfortable 4-0 hammering of Bournemouth. The promising right-back was introduced in the 82nd minute as he replaced Kyle Walker.

It's been a meteoric rise for Lewis who hasn't even been a regular in the EDS but has gone straight into the first-team squad this season to help provide cover at full-back. He was a regular for the Under-18s last season, captaining the side to a league title triumph.

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EDS manager Brian Barry-Murphy hasn't had the chance to work with Lewis much - having played just 14 times for him at Under-23 level and in the UEFA Youth League - but was very proud to see him make his debut. "I think it's obviously a massive day for everyone in the academy when that happens," he told the Manchester Evening News.

"I probably had not a lot of contact with Rico last year. He played in the Champions League for us but for the 18s he was a mainstay so I think it's a brilliant achievement for him to have that yesterday. He deserves almost to have that celebration of the whole weekend."

Lewis' teammate at youth level, Dire Mebude, couldn't hide his delight as he echoed Barry-Murphy's thoughts. "Yeah definitely, so proud of him," he said with a massive grin. "It's really good and he deserves it."

When asked if seeing Lewis getting an opportunity inspired him to earn the same, the exciting forward added: "Yeah there definitely is something there I just need to go and grab it."

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