Rico Lewis targets regular game time as Man City future hangs in balance

Rico Lewis has admitted that securing regular game time is his primary goal for the season ahead, with his long-term future at Manchester City still uncertain despite signing a new five-year contract at the Etihad in August 2025.

The 21-year-old struggled for minutes last season but described the campaign as “exactly what I needed” in a candid interview, suggesting the experience has sharpened his focus rather than dented his confidence. Lewis missed out on England’s World Cup squad, giving him additional time to prepare physically for the new season.

Nottingham Forest were among the clubs who explored a move for Lewis last summer and are expected to revisit their interest, with several other sides also monitoring his situation. Whether he stays or leaves will likely hinge on how much playing time Pep Guardiola’s successor is willing to offer him.

Lewis is due to report back to the City Football Academy on Monday and is set to travel on the club’s summer tour to Asia, where he is likely to be one of the senior figures in the squad given that most first-team regulars are still involved at the World Cup. The tour concludes before City face Arsenal in the Community Shield.

Capable of playing at right-back or in central midfield, Lewis has expressed a clear preference for the latter role. He has a pre-existing relationship with incoming head coach Enzo Maresca, who worked with him as a first-team coach during the 2022/23 season — the campaign in which Lewis broke into Guardiola’s squad. Maresca reportedly put in extra post-training sessions with the youngster to help ease his transition into the first team.

Off the pitch, Lewis has had an eventful summer, getting married and taking time to engage with community projects in the Manchester area.