Headline: Rico Lewis Eyes Return to Thomas Tuchel’s Squad Following England U21 Performance
Rico Lewis has recently shown his skills with England’s U21 team, indicating his eagerness to make a comeback under Thomas Tuchel.
Lewis, who is 21, joins Lee Carsley’s England U21 squad for the November international break. He participated in the team’s recent 1-0 friendly loss to Portugal at Ashton Gate in Bristol.
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The Manchester City defender received a late call-up to Tuchel’s senior squad in October, stepping in for the injured Nico O’Reilly for a UEFA Nations League match against Czechia at Wembley. This marked almost two years since Lewis last appeared for the senior team, earning five caps.
Lewis has seen limited action this season under Enzo Maresca, having started in the opening match against Bournemouth and coming on as a substitute at halftime against Aston Villa, where he made a notable impact with two assists in the Champions League victory against AEK Athens.
What you do off the pitch will most likely leak onto the pitch, says Lewis
During an interview with Give Me Sport, Lewis discussed his potential contributions to the England setup. “I have my experience from being here and with the seniors,” he noted.
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“On and off the pitch, I know it’s crucial to maintain high standards and to motivate the other players who have been here longer.”
“What you do off the pitch will likely influence what happens on the pitch, whether positive or negative. If the off-field environment is good, there should be no reason it doesn’t translate into good performance on the pitch, and the same is true the other way around.”
In contemplating a return to Tuchel’s senior squad after limited exposure to games at Manchester City over the past 18 months, Lewis expressed how much he values the guidance offered by the England system. He stated, “My focus is on playing as many games as possible over the next year.”
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Lewis emphasized his desire to play in midfield, where he believes he can contribute more effectively with goals and assists, although he has appreciated his ability to adapt across various positions during his tenure at City.
Maresca mentioned that Lewis is capable of playing in both midfield and defense, and his positioning on the field varies according to the team’s needs for each match. The coach commended Lewis for his solid performance after coming on during the Villa Park match.
Currently, Matheus Nunes has taken on most of the duties at right-back for Manchester City, despite his natural inclination towards midfield. This season, Abdukodir Khusanov has also seen time in that position. The club is reportedly considering a transfer for Villarreal right-back Alex Freeman in January.
Lewis acknowledged following the victory over AEK Athens that he hadn’t had much playing time this season, but focusing on his performance provided him with a significant boost in confidence.
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Last summer, it was reported that Nottingham Forest had considered pursuing Lewis, but he committed to Manchester City by signing a five-year contract extension in September 2025, valid until 2030.
The City Football Academy player made his debut in the first team during the treble-winning 2022-23 season under Pep Guardiola, notable for scoring against Sevilla in the UEFA Champions League group stage, ultimately contributing to the team’s victories in the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League that year.
Carsley’s U21 side is set to face France at Ashton Gate on Monday night following a 28th-minute goal from Afonso Moreira that decided the match with Portugal. City players on loan, including Max Alleyne, Stephen Mfuni, and Divin Mubama, are also part of the squad alongside Lewis.
Entering the international break, City is facing three consecutive Premier League defeats and trails leaders Arsenal by six points. Lewis will celebrate his 22nd birthday on the same day City will return to league action against Fulham.
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After the international break, the Blues will host Fulham at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, November 21, followed by a Champions League match against Napoli on Tuesday, November 24, and a visit to Arsenal on Sunday, November 29.
