Manchester City plot contract renewal talks for Rico Lewis following Champions League performance

Manchester City are plotting contract renewal talks with rising full-back talent, Rico Lewis following his impressive Champions League outing on Wednesday night.

On a night when the match itself had nothing at stake, City boss Pep Guardiola was granted the perfect opportunity to hand rare starts to a number of academy prospects on the fringes of his first-team squad.

Cole Palmer was one name to receive a golden chance in front of the Etihad faithful, with the England youth international having already impressed across a number of competitions over the past 12 months.

However, it was 17 year-old defender Rico Lewis that caught the eye in the Manchester City starting line-up.

The Bury-born defender has been at the Etihad Stadium since the age of eight, and was notably captain of the club's under-18 side during the 2021/22 season.

Wednesday night's Champions League start against La Liga side Sevilla is undoubtedly Lewis' biggest moment in his developing career, and the occasion had no impact on his confidence to go out and perform.

Offering the same inverted full-back qualities as the more senior defenders in the Premier League champions' squad, Rico Lewis looked at home from minute one.

In the second-half, the teenager was moved back to a more traditional right-back role, and exceeded all expectations.

The Englishman brought Manchester City level on 52 minutes, smashing home the ball from a tight angle following a sublime pass from Julian Alvarez to cut open the Sevilla defensive unit.

Offering a threat down the right for the remainder of the second-half, Rico Lewis ultimately earned himself an emotional standing ovation from a capacity crowd within the Etihad Stadium on 85 minutes when he was substituted for Joao Cancelo.

Now, it has already emerged that Manchester City are planning for life with Rico Lewis for the foreseeable future.

According to the information of transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, officials within the Etihad Stadium are planning a new contract offer for Rico Lewis, whose current deal expires in the summer of 2025.

First start, first goal for Rico Lewis in Champions League. Another talent coming from Man City Academy. ⭐️ #MCFC

Born in 2004, Lewis’ current deal will expire in June 2025 — been told Man City are planning new contract bid to extend the agreement. #UCL pic.twitter.com/MswD6NC2Yi

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 2, 2022

Rico Lewis became just the fifth Englishman to start a Champions League match before turning 18 years-old on Wednesday night, after Jack Wilshere, Josh McEachran, Jude Bellingham, and Manchester City teammate, Phil Foden.

However, it was Lewis' goal on the evening that had the record books changing.

Ig Rico Lewis: "Words can’t describe the feeling. First start and goal for this amazing club, I won’t forget this day for the rest of my life, can’t thank the fans enough, amazing as usual 💙" [rico.lewis] pic.twitter.com/loEjQUgzZ0

— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) November 2, 2022

Specifically aged 17 years and 346 days old on the night, Rico Lewis became the youngest player in Champions League history to score on his first start in the competition.

This saw the England youth international break the record previously held by Real Madrid's superstar striker and current Ballon d'Or holder Karim Benzema - aged 17 years and 352 days for Lyon against Rosenborg in 2005.