LEWIS IS PAVING THE WAY

Rico backs Pep's young stars to get their chance

- KEITH WEBSTER

TWO years ago tonight, in an American sporting mecca, Erling Haaland announced himself in typical fashion to Manchester City supporters.

With his trademark long blond locks tied up, the Norway striker took his place in the starting line-up for his debut – albeit a pre-season one – under Pep Guardiola at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, where once another coaching legend in Vince Lombardi prowled the touchline.

As an insight to what was to follow that season, Haaland settled the friendly against Bayern Munich after just 12 minutes when Kevin De Bruyne found Jack Grealish, who crossed for the new boy to slide home the only goal.

With everyone’s attention distracted by Haaland’s arrival, another pre-season debutant that night went almost unnoticed when 17-year-old City academy graduate Rico Lewis came on with nine minutes to play.