Lewis hopes versatility helps him make late push for Euros squad
RICO LEWIS is hoping his versatility will work in his favour as he aims to make a late charge to Euro 2024.
Gareth Southgate will name a 23-man squad for next summer’s finals in Germany, having been able to pick 26 players for both Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup. That means competition for places will be more fierce than in recent years, with Southgate admitting those who are more adaptable could have the edge.
The likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kieran Trippier and Phil Foden can occupy several different positions on the pitch. So too, can Lewis – the 18-year-old having already played in both full-back roles and in midfield for treble-winners Manchester City.
He has yet to make his senior England debut but was called up for the first time last week and will be targeting minutes in the final Euro 2024 qualifier away to North Macedonia tonight.
“Obviously, in terms of a tournament, you can only select the amount you can select,” he said. “It [versatility] can be a key factor in going or not going. But for me, I am not really focusing on that right now but I understand it is a key thing that could contribute to me being picked or not.
“Obviously he [Southgate] has asked me about where I want to play, my favourite position, stuff like that.”
With Southgate’s defensive options already limited in the current camp, Lewis’ chances of playing in Skopje have been further boosted with Trippier not travelling due to personal reasons.
Asked if he would be happy to fill in at left-back, where Southgate is particularly bereft of options, Lewis replied: “Of course. Anywhere I played, I would relish it. Whether it is rightback, midfield, left-back – I am not really bothered.
“I just love playing football and at the moment it is going really well. Any opportunity I get, I will do my best to take it. Obviously, it is not something I expected, especially coming into the international week when I was in the under-21s. Obviously a lot of things happened and fortunately for me I am here now.
“I have enjoyed every minute of it so far: meeting everybody, meeting the players, the staff, the training sessions, everything.”
West Ham forward Jarrod Bowen had also pulled out of the squad with an injury suffered in training on Saturday.