Arsenal star Declan Rice has warned Myles Lewis-Skelly that there will be plenty of competition for his place in the England squad, while calling for pressure to be lifted on the youngster after his debut.
The 18-year-old has had quite the astronomical rise to the top this season, coming through the Hale End academy.
Mikel Arteta started by playing Myles Lewis-Skelly at left-back, despite being more of a natural midfielder by trade.
While the youngster is playing in a different position, it’s one that he has taken as his own for Arsenal so far this season.
Moving forward, it could be one he plays for his national team as Lewis-Skelly made his England debut at left-back recently.
In a 2-0 win over Albania, Lewis-Skelly scored his first England goal in a huge first impression for the star.
Despite that, his Arsenal teammate Declan Rice has issued a possible warning for the future.
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Declan Rice issues Myles Lewis-Skelly England warning
After having such an impressive start to life with the England team, Lewis-Skelly will now be looking to build upon that to cement himself in the side.
The issue in the long-term will be competition for places, something that his Arsenal teammate Rice has discussed.
Speaking ahead of England’s match with Latvia, he told the press: “We have so many good left-backs in the country.
“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 is guaranteed a starting place in the England team. You need to be on it every time you come here.”
While left-back has been something of a problem area, there are plenty of opportunities for those players to get involved in the mix for a place at left-back.
While there is some hope for Lewis-Skelly to be a guaranteed starter, Rice has also warned others to ease pressure on the youngster.
He continued: “Myles is only 18. We can’t put that emphasis on him straightaway that he’s going to be England’s starter for the next ten years. You don’t want to put that pressure on him.
“Just let him keep playing, keep enjoying his football. If he stays hungry and keeps being the best he can be, he can have a long England career for sure.”
Myles Lewis-Skelly’s position versatility will help in England pursuit
While Lewis-Skelly will be battling it out with other left-backs for a place in the England squad, he does have one other thing going in his favour.
That is his versatility, with the Arsenal youngster capable of not just playing as a specialist left-back for the side.
The 18-year-old is comfortable playing as a midfielder, albeit it’s one he hasn’t featured in much over his senior career so far.
However, that versatility allows Lewis-Skelly to cover multiple positions that could be crucial for an international squad.
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