18-year-old left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly didn’t think it would happen like this. When his phone rang last week, he stopped chatting with a friend, hoping it was Thomas Tuchel calling to invite him into England‘s senior squad. Instead, a delivery driver said his mother’s food had arrived.
“I was so sure it could be Tuchel,” Lewis-Skelly said, grinning about the confusion. “I got that call, but it was Uber Eats for my mum. The next day, I got the real message confirming I’d been selected.”
His selection didn’t just bring laughter. It also brought a rush of pride to the Denmark Hill-born teenager who signed his first professional contract with Arsenal last October. Since making his club debut in September, he has logged over two dozen appearances across all competitions, even notching his first goal in a decisive win against Manchester City. “I was just over the moon,” he said. “Running around the house felt like a dream.”
Adapting to the Next Level
The call-up places Lewis-Skelly in Tuchel’s first England squad for this month’s World Cup qualifiers, where the Three Lions face Albania and Latvia at Wembley. Injuries have depleted England’s left-back ranks, giving Lewis-Skelly a shot at real playing time. “I can’t tell you how excited I am,” he said. “This isn’t by accident. I’ve put in the work and trusted my abilities.”
Thomas Tuchel echoed that sentiment, describing the youngster’s recent performances with Arsenal as “nothing but impressive.” Lewis-Skelly has already represented England at under-16 through under-19 levels, but a nod to the senior team can feel like a leap into another universe. “It’s been incredible,” he said. “There’s so much to learn, and the older guys have been really welcoming. Declan Rice, especially, has helped me settle.”
Along with the excitement comes a sense of composure. “Every moment, I try to be present and take it day by day,” Lewis-Skelly said. “I visualize moments like these, but it’s still overwhelming when they happen.”
In the next few days, he could step onto the pitch for the first time as a full England international. “I’m here to impress Tuchel and the team,” he said. “I want to cement my place, but I’m also just soaking it all in. It’s a big step, but I’m ready.”
