Manchester City and England midfielder Rico Lewis has revealed that he sees midfield as his preferred position, while admitting that securing regular first-team football is his biggest priority as he looks to return to England’s senior squad under Thomas Tuchel.

Speaking exclusively to GIVEMESPORT reporter Sam Cohen during the England Under-21s’ November international camp in Bristol, Lewis discussed the challenges of competing for minutes, the influence of Pep Guardiola, his memories of Manchester City’s historic treble, and the next generation of England talent.

Rico Lewis reveals preferred Manchester City position

Having played at right-back and in midfield during 122 appearances for Man City, Lewis explained how his view of his best position has developed over time.

The 21-year-old said: “It’s been interesting. I’ve enjoyed playing wherever, but now I’m kind of getting that feeling where I enjoy helping the team going forward.”

“So I think the best place to do that is in the midfield for me. Finding that joy of scoring, assisting, that’s what’s kind of driving me to that feeling.”

He was equally clear that versatility remains an asset: “It’s nice to play any time. It’s not like I only want to play here and I can’t play anywhere else, because it’s a positive thing to be able to play in different positions as well.”

England ambitions under Thomas Tuchel

Lewis has senior England experiences under his belt with five caps to his name, and believes that he can bring those experiences and responsibility when playing alongside his teammates in the Under-21s.

“I’ve got my experience of being here already and with the seniors. I think in terms of on the pitch and off the pitch, standards and making sure I’m driving them as much as I can with the other players that have been here for a while as well.”

He added: “What you do off the pitch will most likely leak onto the pitch, good or bad. So if it’s good off the pitch, then there’s no excuse for it to not be good on the pitch as well, and vice versa.”

Asked about getting back into Tuchel’s senior squad, Lewis linked that ambition to his club minutes. “I definitely appreciate all the help that comes with the England structure in general. But for me, it kind of links to what we said about the goal in 12 months’ time, is playing as many games as I can.”

“The more minutes I play, the more I can show what I can do and the more that puts me in good stead to get selected. But I think I’m just focusing on just working as hard as I can right now to get into that position to play and then from there it all snowballs.”

The challenge of competition at Manchester City

Lewis spoke openly about staying mentally ready when appearances are hard to come by.

“There’s so much competition that when you get your opportunity you have to take it.

“Preparing myself mentally, not playing, not playing, not playing, then getting the chance to play, there’s no point in wasting that 90 minutes wishing I was playing those other games I’m playing right now.”

He said that accepting the ups and downs of football ultimately makes a player stronger.

Looking 12 months ahead, his priority is straightforward: “For me it would be literally playing as many games as I can do ... having that experience of playing sustained minutes and consistently.”

Rather than a specific statistical target, he wants to feel that he is playing, learning, growing and improving.

Pep Guardiola’s biggest lesson was not a tactic

Asked what he took from Guardiola and how he was adjusting to a different managerial approach, Lewis stressed the belief that powered City’s success.

“Obviously Pep was very demanding and rightfully so. I think that’s the way you win things.”

“The togetherness of the team and the belief in the system and the belief that we’re going to win. I think that’s greater than any tactic, going into every game thinking we’re going to win this game, we’re better than the other team.”

Lewis added: “You can take that with you wherever you go, instead of a tactic or a system. If you have that personal belief or team belief that you’re going to go and win, I think that’s stronger than anything else.”

The Champions League goal that felt like a dream

When asked about the moments that made him realise what he had achieved, Lewis immediately chose his Champions League goal against Sevilla.

“That’s a moment where, even after it happened, I was like, 'I can’t believe this happened.'” He admitted he had watched it back “so many times”.

But the whole experience of entering the City dressing room as a teenager was just as extraordinary.

“Even just being around them in training and being in that dressing room over a whole year when I was 17 turning 18, the whole experience was…” He agreed that it felt like a dream. “You don’t really take it in. And now I can look back and say I understand what was actually going on.”

Could those famous personalities be overwhelming? “Yeah, it can do,” Lewis said. “They’re not just top players, they’re top people. So that definitely helped me integrate into the team and feel more comfortable.”

He nevertheless acknowledged that even with support, the quality around him could feel overwhelming.

Winning the treble at 18

Lewis was part of Manchester City’s historic 2022/23 treble-winning squad. He said the magnitude of the achievement can still be difficult to absorb.

“There’s not many players in the world who walk around and say they’ve won a treble.

“Life goes so fast that you don’t really have time to think about it. But sometimes I do think and I think how lucky I was to be in that team.”

He thanked Guardiola, one of the best managers in world football, for giving him his opportunity: “Obviously I worked hard ... but I’m grateful to Pep for giving me the opportunity to be part of that and to be in a dressing room when one of the best seasons in world football was going on.”

Lewis expects that perspective to deepen with time. “I think in ten years’ time I’ll look back and say I didn’t even realise how amazing it was to be in that treble winning team.”

Trey Nyoni impresses in England training

Asked who had stood out in the England Under-21 camp, Lewis praised the collective level before naming Liverpool youngster Trey Nyoni.

“All the players are top, high-level players ... I think Trey has been good this week in training. But all the players have been good.”

The Young Lions are preparing to face Portugal and France at Ashton Gate in Bristol as part of their build-up to next summer’s Under-21 European Championship.

Quickfire: De Bruyne, Vinicius Junior, Messi and Kaká

The interview ended with ten rapid-fire football questions.

Who is the best player you trained with? Kevin De Bruyne.

Who is the toughest opponent you have faced? Vinicius Junior.

Who is the funniest England Under-21 player? Ethan [Nwaneri] or [Alfie] Devine

What would be your position for life? Midfield.

What is the best stadium you have played in? The old Camp Nou

What skill would you like to master? A showboating skill such as a scissor, or a step-over.

Who is your first England Under-21 five-a-side selection? Ethan [Nwaneri]

Which player would you most like to play alongside (other than Messi or Ronaldo)? Kaka. I’d like to get a Kaká shirt.

What comes next for Lewis?

Despite a remarkable collection of early career experiences, Lewis’s central message was consistent: more minutes, more opportunities to develop, and the chance to push back into England’s senior squad.

His explicit preference for midfield offers a revealing glimpse of where he sees his future, while his memories of Guardiola and the treble underline how much those formative years continue to shape him.