Guardiola calls Rico Lewis ‘one of the best’ players at this particular attribute | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola has praised Rico Lewis after the youngster played a pivotal role in Manchester City advancing to this year’s FA Cup final.

The 20-year-old scored the opening goal in the second minute which ultimately was enough to sink Nottingham Forest, before Josko Gvardiol added another to make the final score 2-0.

Guardiola was full of compliments for Lewis after the game, saying: “Rico is a pocket (player), 8, 10, he moves really well in small spaces. Sometimes when we play not good like this season it’s not necessary.

“But when we play really good and control and top the opponents in the final third, players can move in the small spaces, it’s really important and Rico is one of the best I have ever seen, one of the best. The way he receives, his control, his rhythm, it’s really good. And after that we scored a fantastic goal.”

City were in complete control for most of the game, particularly the first-half, and were rarely tested until a late flurry of chances for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side.

Guardiola’s side have reached seven FA Cup semi-finals in a row now, and the Spaniard was very proud of his team: “Seven semi-finals speaks highly about this generation of (City) players. We are really pleased we are there.

“I’ve said many times this season has not been good because what defines that is the Premier League, the consistency, and it has always been that way. This season it could not happen but the most important thing is qualification for the Champions League. We have to be calm now and recover because we have fatigue. But we have five days.”

City will take on Crystal Palace in the final, on the 17th May, and Guardiola will know this represents an excellent chance to salvage what has been overall a very disappointing season.