Rico Lewis reveals what Phil Foden told him in private about Pep Guardiola’s team selections

Phil Foden has a clear dream in mind about Pep Guardiola’s future Manchester City team selections, as revealed by his close friend and teammate Rico Lewis.

The latest revelation shines a light on the growing ambitions of Manchester City’s Academy graduates, many of whom are beginning to play a more significant role in Pep Guardiola’s senior plans.

In recent years, the likes of Foden, Lewis, James Trafford, Oscar Bobb, and Nico O’Reilly have emerged from the club’s production line, showcasing the increasing importance of homegrown talent at the Etihad Stadium.

Their rise coincides with a period of change in the Manchester City squad, with a number of senior players facing uncertain futures this summer, and others having already vacated the club, leaving the door open for youth to step forward.

Manchester City’s reliance on Academy players has already been highlighted by Pep Guardiola in recent months. The Catalan coach has publicly praised the work being done at the City Football Academy, stressing that the next generation could be pivotal in sustaining success across both domestic and European competitions.

With James McAtee having left the club permanently for Nottingham Forest earlier this month and Kalvin Phillips among those also heading for exits, opportunities for the young crop could become more frequent in the coming campaign.

For Rico Lewis in particular, commitment to City has been reaffirmed amid transfer links to Nottingham Forest, Bayer Leverkusen, and even Bayern Munich in recent weeks. Having verbally agreed to fresh terms at the Etihad Stadium, the 20-year-old full-back has demonstrated his long-term vision of contributing to Guardiola’s side and continuing his development under one of the most respected coaches in the game.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with MailSport’s Jack Gaughan this week, Lewis revealed the private message he received from Phil Foden while pitchside at Molineux for the club’s Premier League opener against Wolves.

“Phil came over and spoke to us. And was like, ‘I can’t wait for when all five of us [Lewis, Foden, James Trafford, Nico O’Reilly, Oscar Bobb] are all regulars, all playing together’. That’s the dream in the future, all of us together,” Lewis admitted.

The Manchester City Academy graduate continued, “We’ve all been brought up here and through the same process.

“It’s so easy to relate to the people who’ve been there for the longest period of time – and at a similar age. Hopefully there will be some younger ones with us in the future too.”

Offering further commitment to Manchester City amid recent dialogue over transfer interest from elsewhere in the game, specifically Nottingham Forest, Lewis said, “For me, whenever I play for City, under this manager… it’s a dream to be in this position in the first place.”

The thought of a future City team heavily influenced by their own Academy is likely to excite supporters who have watched these players grow from youth football to the professional stage.

The possibility of Phil Foden, Rico Lewis, James Trafford, Nico O’Reilly, and Oscar Bobb lining up together on a regular basis not only strengthens the club’s identity but also mirrors Pep Guardiola’s wider vision of sustainability.

With the summer transfer window still in motion and question marks lingering over experienced names such as Ederson, Manuel Akanji, and İlkay Gündoğan in particular, the potential for a younger Manchester City core to emerge feels more realistic than ever.

Should Pep Guardiola commit to handing these players greater responsibility, fans may soon witness a squad evolution built upon Manchester’s own talent.