Manchester City defender Rico Lewis has become a fan favourite at the Etihad Stadium.
Lewis has a natural connection with the supporters as any academy graduate does.
But aside from that, the £25,000-a-week man has been tremendous since becoming a first-team player — proving time and again that he belongs at the highest level.
This season as well, the Manchester City gem has been one of his side’s best players alongside Erling Haaland so far.
Lewis represents City’s young talents perfectly — technically gifted, intelligent and fearless.
Even during one of his first starts against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup, the 19-year-old put in a crunching challenge on Mohamed Salah; which was a sign of how unfazed he was to be playing first-team football.
Now, a fresh revelation around the Bury-born right-back has emerged.
- READ MORE: Who is Rico Lewis? The Man City prodigy who is one of the best Pep Guardiola has ever trained
Man City fans react to Lee Carsley picking Rico Lewis in England squad
Lewis has been named in England interim manager Lee Carsley’s first squad ahead of his side’s games against Ireland and Finland in the UEFA Nations League.
The youngster will be competing for a start with the likes of Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold and Newcastle United’s Tino Livramento.
Lewis will be hoping to get as minutes as possible in both games.
However, the Englishman would also be overjoyed to have been selected after not making the cut for Gareth Southgate’s 26-man squad for Euro 2024.
Alongside the versatile defender, Jack Grealish, John Stones and Phil Foden have been selected by Lee Carsley — with Kyle Walker emerging as a notable omission.
Manchester City supporters have shared their sense of happiness and pride at Lewis being picked in the England squad on X.
Rico Lewis deserved the England call-up
Lewis merited being called up to the England squad by Lee Carsley.
A player with his technical and tactical understanding of the game would be a useful addition in any team.
While only two games have been played in the Premier League so far, Lewis has also arguably been the most in-form English full-back.
The two-time Premier League winner’s experience of playing for City also makes him tailor-made to handle the pressure of donning an England shirt.
Whether it is at right-back or in midfield, Lewis would offer Carsley’s sense a degree of control and composure that most top teams around the world play with.
Unless young players like Lewis are given the chance to represent the national team, they will remain inexperienced.
But Lee Carsley seems to have faith in Lewis’ talent, who will not be aiming to repay his manager’s trust in him.
