Myles Lewis-Skelley tipped for England call-up by Winterburn


Myles Lewis-Skelley has been tipped for an immediate England call-up by former Arsenal left-back Nigel Winterburn who says the teenager’s impressive start to his career is “no surprise.”

Lewis-Skelley, 18, only made his debut last September but has been a regular starter at full-back for Mikel Arteta over the past month.

Winterburn, who won three league titles and two FA Cups with Arsenal, says he has done enough to earn a chance for club and country.

Speaking through William Hill Vegas Winterburn said: “I’ve followed Miles through the youth system and his preferred position has always been as a midfield player.

“He is a strong carrier of the ball and has learned certain positional skills at left-back but playing inverted is not a problem for him as he is very comfortable taking the ball under pressure.

“He’s developed so quickly but it’s not a surprise to me – I knew there was huge potential for him to progress, I just didn’t know in what position.

“He is almost pushing to become Arsenal’s regular left-back which is quite incredible. He is enjoying playing at a big club and is a classy youngster who will continue to progress.

“When everyone is fit he will ask Mikel to make a decision. That’s all you can do. He deserves to play.”

Oleksandr Zinchenko started 20 games in the Premier League last season but this year has seen Jurien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori as Arteta’s preferred options.

However, with Timber playing at right back to cover for the injured Ben White, and injuries hampering Calafiori’s first season, the door has been opened for Lewis-Skelley.

A similar opportunity may be on the cards internationally.

England have struggled at left-back in recent seasons with Luke Shaw regularly injured and Kieran Trippier – now retired from international duty – Gareth Southgate’s man of choice for most of the run to the Euro 2024 final.

New manager Thomas Tuchel will name his first team in March and Winterburn would not be surprised if the Arsenal teenager.

“There’s a huge opportunity for somebody,” Winterburn said.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if he was in the next team. He has presented himself exactly in the picture with his form.

“England have had a lot of injuries at left-back and it’s not like they have to replace someone of Ashley Cole’s caliber – who was the best left-back in the world.

“Luke Shaw has injury problems, Ben Chilwell is not fit at Chelsea so there will be three or four players who will think they have a chance to start there and Myles is one of them.”





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