A familiar face in the dugout

The summer has brought change at the Etihad, with Enzo Maresca taking over from Pep Guardiola. For most of the squad, that means adapting to new ideas and new demands. For Rico Lewis, it means something else entirely: a reunion with a coach who already knows exactly what he is about.

The pair go back a few years. Lewis broke into the first team during the treble-winning campaign of 2022-23, the same season Maresca was serving as Guardiola's assistant. It was a brief overlap, but a meaningful one.

"When he was with us in the Treble season, most of the time after sessions he would take me do individual sessions which I really appreciated."

That connection matters now. Maresca, like Guardiola before him, knows the strengths and weaknesses of Lewis' game intimately. The difference is that Maresca isn't Guardiola, and the Italian may have a different take altogether on what the young defender offers.

Versatility as a double-edged sword

Lewis' flexibility has always been his calling card. In the first friendly of pre-season against Inter Milan, he started at right-back before shifting into midfield for the second half. The switch suited him — he looked considerably more comfortable in the middle of the park.

That adaptability, though, may have cost him under the previous regime. Being useful in two roles can sometimes mean being essential in neither, and last season Lewis found himself sliding down the pecking order at City.

Now there is a chance to reset. The new manager has yet to confirm where Lewis fits into his plans, and the player himself admits the topic hasn't come up in conversation.

"We've not spoken about the position I'll play yet but I played full-back and midfield the other day [against Inter], so that gives me an idea of what he's thinking."

Ready for whatever comes

Lewis isn't fussy about the details. What matters to him is being on the pitch.

"I will speak to him but I just want to play. That's the main thing for me, I just want to be playing football and helping the team."

His ability to operate in two positions could prove valuable to a manager building his own identity. Whether that means more minutes remains to be seen, but the relationship is there, the trust is there, and the versatility is there.

Sometimes a fresh start is all a player needs.