Declan Rice would have been delighted to witness his Arsenal teammate Myles Lewis-Skelly start and score on his England debut as they beat Albania 2-0 in Thomas Tuchel’s first game in charge.
Rice congratulated Lewis-Skelly after his England debut as well as the former West Ham United looks like he is mentoring the 18-year-old.
As happy as Myles Lewis-Skelly would have been after the contest, what will excite him even further is that he has a strong chance of becoming England’s starting left-back under Thomas Tuchel.
Luke Shaw has struggled with injuries while Lewis Hall is sidelined with an ACL injury too, giving the Arsenal wonderkid the chance to cement his place under Tuchel in the meantime. The teenager will be embracing the opportunity, with Alan Shearer highlighting that Lewis-Skelly is very confident and has the attitude one needs to become a top player.
Declan Rice was quizzed about his fellow countryman ahead of England’s upcoming contest against Latvia.
Declan Rice urges no pressure to be put on Myles Lewis-Skelly for England
Rice was asked whether Lewis-Skelly can become England’s starting left-back.
The former West Ham United midfielder raved about the youngster’s talent and his work ethic.
However, Rice was quick to emphasise the competition for places in the left-back position for England and how it is perhaps best to let Lewis-Skelly play his football instead of put the pressure on him to become his country’s mainstay at left-back so early into his career.
Rice said via HaytersTV: “Look, we have so many good left-backs in this country. We, we can’t not mention Lewis Hall, who’s been unbelievable for Newcastle this year. [Luke] Shaw has been injured but he’s been unbelievable in an England shirt.”
“No one’s guaranteed a place in the England team, you need to be on it every time you come here and you need to be able to push to start and Myles is only 18, we can’t put that emphasis on him straight away that he’s going to be England’s starter for the next 10 years. You don’t want to put that pressure on him.”
“Just let him keep playing, let him keep enjoying his football and I’m sure you’re going to keep seeing the best of him and if he wants to keep being hungry and being the best he can be, he can definitely have a long England career for sure.”
Jack Wilshere called Lewis-Skelly a “natural leader” and while he might not be feeling the pressure, it is still best to let young players like him just play their football and not focus on the rest at his age.
Thomas Tuchel on Myles Lewis-Skelly’s best position
Having played for England from a young age like Lewis-Skelly, Rice knows the pressure that comes with such a huge responsibility.
As a result, the Arsenal dynamo felt it was best to send out a such message in his press conference.
Thomas Tuchel named Lewis-Skelly’s best position is on the left side of a double pivot in midfield but when inverting into the middle of the park from midfield, which might be where he plays for him in an England shirt in the future.
Tuchel explained after England’s win over Albania via Sky Sports: “He played as a No 8 or 10. I think his best position is where he plays for Arsenal in the left double six, inverted role.”
“If you see him in possession games in training, the quality of first touch, body movement, how he plays the passes is a very high understanding of the game.
“He’s very versatile, can do a lot of things. We tried to play more conventional today because there are many players for different clubs.”
