One player may get more opportunities from Enzo Maresca at Manchester City

One player may get more opportunities from Enzo Maresca at Manchester City Rico Lewis endured a frustrating 2025-26 season for Manchester City. The England international only made 22 appearances in all competitions as he fell down the pecking order in Pep Guardiola’s squad. Enzo Maresca is now Manchester City’s manager and you do sense that Lewis may have a bigger role to play in Maresca’s squad next season. Lewis is a home-grown player and with his versatility and technical ability, he may have more opportunities to play throughout the 2026-27 season unless he is sold by the FA Cup and Carabao Cup holders this summer. Rico Lewis could be given more opportunities by Enzo Maresca next season as Manchester City may need his versatility and ability to play in midfield. With Enzo Maresca now the Manchester City manager, players who were on the periphery of Pep Guardiola’s squad may get fresh opportunities to impress. One of those players could be Rico Lewis. Lewis’ size did seem to count against him last season with how the Premier League has evolved. Winning duels and physicality have become key attributes in nearly every Premier League fixture. Perhaps this is why Lewis fell down the pecking order last season. However, Enzo Maresca prefers his team to play in a certain way and that may give Rico Lewis an opportunity to make an impression. Typically, Enzo Maresca prefers his team to dominate possession , much like Pep Guardiola did. This philosophy may allow Lewis more opportunities. Typically, Maresca likes his full-backs to invert into midfield. This is a role that Rico Lewis has played at right-back previously. If Manchester City cannot sign a right-back this summer, maybe that is where Lewis slots into Enzo Maresca’s squad. However, there is another role that Lewis could occupy for Manchester City next season. Rico Lewis has always seemed destined to play in midfield. In fact, that is his best position. Manchester City do not lack for options in midfield. Especially in the roles that Lewis could play. Namely as a number eight or as a number ten. Where Lewis may have an advantage is that he is well versed in how Manchester City play. Also question marks surround the futures of Nico Gonzalez, Mateo Kovacic and Tijjani Reijnders. If either or all of those players leave City this summer, perhaps Rico Lewis can move into his preferred role. Lewis is good enough to play in midfield for Manchester City. He just needs an opportunity. Perhaps being a squad member in midfield is Lewis’ pathway to minutes in Enzo Maresca’s squad. Final thoughts. Rico Lewis is a player who has drifted into the background at Manchester City. A lack of a defined role and his size seemed to count against him last season. However, a new era is set to get underway at City with Enzo Maresca as manager. Perhaps this may give Lewis a lifeline. If Lewis can impress during Manchester City’s preseason he may force his way into a more consistent role for the FA Cup and Carabao Cup holders. There are a host of players looking for an opportunity to impress during Manchester City’s preseason. Lewis is one of those and how he fares may set him up for a more prominent role for City unless he seeks a summer transfer.