Myles Lewis Skelly has been tipped for an immediate England call-up by former Arsenal left-back Nigel Winterburn who says the teenager's impressive start to his career has come as a “surprise”.
Lewis Skelly, 18, only made his debut last September, but has been a regular at full-back for Mikel Arteta for the past month or so.
Winterburn, who won three league titles and two FA Cups with Arsenal, says he has shown enough to deserve a chance for club and country.
Speak across William Hill Vegas “I followed Miles through the youth system and his preferred position was always midfielder,” Winterburn said.
“He is a strong carrier of the ball and has to learn certain skills at left-back, but playing upside down is not a problem for him because he is very comfortable taking the ball under pressure.
“He has developed very quickly but that's no surprise to me – I knew there was huge potential for him going forward and I didn't know in what position.
Gabriel Martinelli says Miles Lewis Skelly has the potential to be 'one of the best players in the world' ❤️#BBC Football pic.twitter.com/jNTR5TPC8o
– Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) January 18, 2025
“He's almost aiming to be Arsenal's regular left-back which is unbelievable. He's enjoying the game at a big club and he's a poised young man who will continue to progress.
“When everyone is fit, he will ask Mikel to make the decision. That's all you can do. He deserves to play.”
Oleksandr Zinchenko started 20 Premier League matches last season, but this year has seen Jurrian Temper and Riccardo Calafiore as Arteta's preferred options.
However, with the Timbers playing on the right flank to cover for the injured Ben White, and injuries hampering Calafiore's first season, the door was opened for Lewis Skelly.
It is possible that there will be a similar opportunity at the international level.
England have struggled at left-back in recent seasons with Luke Shaw regularly injured and Kieran Trippier – now retired from international duty – Gareth Southgate's go-to man for much of the race to the Euro 2024 final.
Miles Lewis Skelly#U17EURO pic.twitter.com/nYXOxn7sOM
– European Under-21 Nations Cup (@UEFAUnder21) January 16, 2025
New manager Thomas Tuchel will name his first-team squad in March and Winterburn would not be surprised if the Arsenal teenager is in attendance.
“There's a good chance someone will,” Winterburn said.
“I wouldn't be surprised if he's in the next squad. He's put himself in the picture right.
He added: “England have a lot of injuries at left-back, and it's not as if he has to replace a player of the caliber of Ashley Cole – who was the best left-back in the world.”
He added: “Luke Shaw has injury problems, and Ben Chilwell does not suit Chelsea, so there will be three or four players who think they have a chance to start there and Miles is one of them.”
