By Gabriel Agbonlahor

3rd Feb, 2023 | 12:30pm

Rico Lewis could crumble at Man City amid new Pep Guardiola dig - Agbonlahor

Gabby Agbonlahor has suggested Man City boss Pep Guardiola has placed right-back sensation Rico Lewis under “a lot of pressure” after the “weird” departure of Joao Cancelo.

The former Aston Villa striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted there has “obviously been a falling-out” between Guardiola and the Portugal international.

Cancelo, 28, joined Bayern Munich on a reported loan-to-buy deal on deadline day (31 January) – with a fee of £61million enough to seal a permanent deal in the summer.

The former Juventus star started 16 Premier League games this season but has seen his minutes reduced as of late following Lewis’ emergence.

Cancelo’s departure has left inexperienced Sergio Gomez as the only natural left-back option in the Citizens’ squad until the summer.

Kyle Walker will battle Lewis for a starting berth on the other side of Guardiola’s defence.

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Man City are second in the Premier League and trail leaders Arsenal by five points.

Agbonlahor told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “I think it’s a weird decision from Pep.

“Cancelo wasn’t playing his best football, but everyone knows what he can do. He’s one of the best full-backs in the world.

“Pep might see Rico Lewis as the answer, but he’s still young and that’s a lot of pressure. He’s likely to have off games.

“It’s just very strange. There’s obviously been a falling out.

“Cancelo won’t have minded – he’s got Bayern Munich to go to, they’re still in the Champions League and likely to win the league.

“I can’t believe they’ve let him go so easily – they’re going to miss him.”

In other news, Football Insider updates with a flood of Man City stars set to leave due to Premier League rule change.