Burkina Faso
Czech Republic
Lithuania
Montenegro
Nigeria
North Macedonia
United Arab Emirates

England squad announcement: Arsenal teenager 'optimistic' of receiving Thomas Tuchel call-up

sportsmole.co.uk, 13 March 2025, 23:41
Arsenal starlet Myles Lewis-Skelly is reportedly optimistic about his chances of being named in Thomas Tuchel's first England squad on Friday.

The newly-appointed Three Lions boss will announce his inaugural selection on March 14 as he ramps up preparations for England's opening World Cup 2026 qualifiers later this month.

Lewis-Skelly has already been labelled "the best English left-back right now" as he bids to win his first senior call-up, which could come before he even makes his debut for the Under-21s.

The 18-year-old started the season behind Kieran Tierney, Oleksandr Zinchenko and new signing Riccardo Calafiori in the pecking order, but he has enjoyed a sensational rise to become Mikel Arteta's first choice in that position.

The midfielder-turned-defender has made 25 appearances in all tournaments during the 2024-25 campaign, netting one goal and starting eight matches in the Premier League for his boyhood club.

Lewis-Skelly 'hopes' to be named in England squad

Lewis-Skelly still has a lot to learn disciplinary-wise, though, as he has already been sent off twice - although his red card versus Wolverhampton Wanderers was overturned - and was lucky not to suffer the same fate in the 7-1 Champions League thrashing of PSV Eindhoven.

Nevertheless, The Guardian claims that the 2006-born phenom is hopeful of being included in Tuchel's first selection on Friday, where he could benefit from a lack of other viable options in that area of the field.

Newcastle United's Lewis Hall and Manchester United's Luke Shaw are both on the sidelines through injury, while Ben Chilwell - on loan at Crystal Palace from Chelsea - has played just 229 minutes this season.

Chilwell's Eagles compatriot Tyrick Mitchell is another option, though, as are Leif Davis, Djed Spence and Dan Burn, the latter of whom is also said to be in the reckoning for a call-up this week.

Lewis-Skelly could follow the Kobbie Mainoo path if he is called up this week, as the Manchester United man was selected for Euro 2024 despite not playing a single minute for the Under-21s.

What about Ethan Nwaneri?

Lewis-Skelly is not the only Hale End graduate to make a name for himself in the Arsenal XI this season, as Ethan Nwaneri has done a sterling job filling Bukayo Saka's boots in recent weeks.

The 17-year-old has netted eight goals of his own while setting up one more in 28 appearances this season, but the report adds that an Under-21s call-up is more likely for this month.

Even though Saka and Noni Madueke are both out injured, Jarrod Bowen, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Phil Foden and Marcus Rashford represent alternative options on the right flank for England.

Tuchel's first game as Three Lions head coach comes at home to Albania on March 21, three day before they also host Latvia in their second Group K fixture at Wembley.

Meanwhile, the Under-21s take on France (March 21) and Portugal (March 24) in a pair of friendlies this month.

Written by

Ben Knapton

Show more

Top News

28 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are reportedly considering making a move for Braga attacker Roger Fernandes this summer. 28 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona attacker Dani Olmo will be sidelined for approximately three weeks with the right adductor injury that he suffered during the team's La Liga clash with Osasuna on Thursday night. 28 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola has revealed Marcos Senesi could be in the squad for Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester City. 28 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Osasuna have launched an official appeal to the Spanish Football Federation, claiming that Inigo Martinez was not eligible to take to the field for Barcelona in Thursday's La Liga contest. 28 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Aiming to keep their faint hopes of Conference League qualification alive, Brest will travel to the South Coast on Sunday afternoon to face Toulouse in Ligue 1. 28 March 2025 talksport.com Jean-Philippe Mateta is back from his horror injury, but he's now having to wear some unique protective headgear. 28 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti is confident that Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Antonio Rudiger and Dani Ceballos will all be available for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final with Arsenal on April 8. 28 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool Women will look to bounce back from a 4-0 defeat to Arsenal when they face Aston Villa Women in Sunday's clash at the St Helens Stadium. 28 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Leicester City Women will welcome Tottenham Hotspur Women to the King Power Stadium for Sunday's Women's Super League fixture. 28 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Both looking to ease their growing fears of relegation, Angers and Rennes will clash at Stade Raymond Kopa for a Ligue 1 match on Sunday afternoon. 28 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United Women will welcome Everton Women to Leigh Sports Village for Sunday's Women's Super League encounter. 28 March 2025 talksport.com Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca scrapped a planned rest day for his senior squad after they suffered a shock 3-0 loss to the club's under-21 side in training. 28 March 2025 talksport.com Wrexham are financially stable enough to challenge the big hitters next season if they secure promotion to the Championship. 28 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Buoyed by reaching the Women's Champions League semi-final, Arsenal Women will return to Women's Super League action for Sunday's meeting with Crystal Palace Women. 28 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City are reportedly plotting a move for Liverpool-linked Jeremie Frimpong in the summer transfer window. 28 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly prepared to consider offers for defender Cristian Romero during the summer transfer window. 28 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are reportedly prepared to pay over the release clause of Francisco Trincao in order to land the attacker. 28 March 2025 talksport.com Brazilian football delivered yet another night of chaos as Corinthians clinched their first title in six years - with a familiar face in the middle of a controversial Sao Paolo derby. 28 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Pep Guardiola has been impressed with young centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov since joining Manchester City in the January transfer window. 28 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola must work around two crushing suspension blows for Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final showdown with Manchester City at the Vitality Stadium. 28 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal have reportedly moved ahead in the race for Blackburn Rovers sensation Harvey Higgins. 28 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola is confident of having Ederson available for Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final tie with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. 28 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United teenager Bendito Mantato is reportedly in line for a new four-year contract at Old Trafford. 28 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Catalan battles Basque in the pick of this weekend's FA Cup quarter-finals, where Andoni Iraola's Bournemouth host Pep Guardiola's Manchester City at the Vitality Stadium. 28 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has delivered a positive update on the fitness of his squad ahead of Saturday lunchtime's FA Cup quarter-final tie with Fulham at Craven Cottage. 28 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Estoril Praia face a tough challenge as they look to end their winless run when they host Champions League hopefuls Porto in round 27 of the Primeira Liga on Sunday. 28 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk The Eredivisie returns this weekend after a two-week break, and a blockbuster De Topper clash is on the cards this Sunday, when PSV Eindhoven play host to Ajax at Philips Stadion. 28 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Moreirense will look to build on their recent success as they resume Primeira Liga action, hosting Vitoria de Guimaraes in round 27. 28 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Montpellier HSC travel to Auxerre in Ligue 1 this weekend, searching for their first win in over two months. 28 March 2025 talksport.com Former Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez revealed that Sir Alex Ferguson declined to shake his hand after a tense 2013 FA Cup quarter-final.