Myles Lewis-Skelly is on the verge of a shock England call-up as Thomas Tuchel includes the Arsenal teenager in his top 50.
With England’s left-back crisis deepening, Lewis-Skelly’s rapid rise has made him a serious contender for the squad ahead of next month’s World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia.
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Thomas Tuchel has reportedly been working tirelessly since his appointment as England head coach, but one of his biggest tasks has been addressing the national team’s shortage of left-backs. Among the solutions emerging is Myles Lewis-Skelly, the teenage Arsenal prodigy who has stunned Mikel Arteta’s coaching staff this season.
Despite making just eight Premier League starts, Lewis-Skelly has already forced his way into Tuchel’s thoughts ahead of next month’s World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia at Wembley. The 18-year-old’s rise has been so rapid that he has yet to play for England’s under-21s, only making his under-19 debut last September in Croatia.
England are dangerously light at left-back. Luke Shaw and Ben Chilwell have struggled with injuries, while Rico Lewis, Kyle Walker, and Levi Colwill have all been deployed in the position without being natural fits. Even Djed Spence, right-footed and on the fringes at Tottenham until recently, has been considered as an emergency option.
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Yet, with Tuchel prioritising players in their primary roles, Lewis-Skelly has emerged as a genuine candidate. He is understood to be on the England manager’s “top 50” list, a ranking of the best English players in the country compiled by Tuchel since taking charge on January 1.
The new head coach has spent the past seven weeks building his knowledge of the England talent pool. He has attended over 20 matches across England, Spain, Italy, and Germany, held meetings with players both in-person and via video calls, and made multiple visits to St George’s Park.
He has also leaned on the FA’s Helix software, which allows him to watch tactical views of matches from anywhere in the world, allowing him to spend time with his family back in Germany, something the UK right-wing press have been very angry about all week.
Declan Rice, who trains with Lewis-Skelly every day at Arsenal, is not remotely surprised by his rise.
“This kid is just special, very special. He can go to the top,” Rice said.
“For an 18-year-old to be that good, that comfortable, that strong, it was like he was built in a lab. I said that to him the other day.
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“It’s just ridiculous how good he is, but he has a long way to go.
“He’s so level-headed, he’s got a great family around him.”
That maturity and composure were on full display during Arsenal’s 2-0 win at Leicester on Saturday, where Lewis-Skelly made a goal-saving intervention with the score at 0-0.
England host Albania at Wembley on March 21 before welcoming Latvia three days later.
