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Is Myles Lewis-Skelly the solution to England’s left-back worries?

It’s no secret that heading into the 2024/25 campaign, England’s options at left-back looked scarce, with Luke Shaw’s injury problems persisting.

However, with former Chelsea regular Ben Chilwell set to return to first team action following a loan-move to Crystal Palace, among promising seasons from the likes of Myles Lewis-Skelly and Lewis Hall, England's left-back options are starting to look brighter.

We assess England’s future left-back options under new manager Thomas Tuchel.

Football

Myles Lewis-Skelly

Born on 18th September 2006, Lewis-Skelly is 18 years old and is rapidly becoming one of the Premier League's most exciting prospects, gaining the trust of Mikel Arteta in Arsenal's run-in for the title.

He caught the eye throughout his academy days as an assertive, tenacious central midfielder, but his first-team action so far has come primarily at left-back.

He offers the athleticism to be able to hold the width on the left-hand side, holding his ground in duels, whilst also possessing technical attributes that allow him to drift into more central areas, a skill required in Arteta's setup.

His performance in the Gunners' 5-1 win over Manchester City in the Premier League embodies everything the left-back is about, relentless in his one v one battles with Phil Foden, whilst also providing an attacking outlet, evident through his stunning finish on his weaker right foot.

New England boss Tuchel has displayed his tactical adaptability in past jobs, preferring a back-three setup at Chelsea, while switching to a back-four shape at Bayern Munich, and there is no reason why Lewis-Skelly can't become a big part of the German's future plans.

With over a year to go until the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Arsenal's prospect is bound to mature, both physically and technically, giving himself a real opportunity of breaking into the England setup.

Lewis Hall

Lewis Hall, like Lewis-Skelly, fits the bill for a modern day full-back, competent in central areas due to his technical maturity, yet still able to provide width.

Making the move from Chelsea to Newcastle for a reported £35 million package deal, questions were asked as to whether Hall was the right kind of full-back to play in an industrious Eddie Howe team.

Hall's performances in the 2024/25 Premier League campaign, however, have shut down any doubts, with his name rightly emerging as a contender for England's left-back spot.

Hall is extremely capable with the ball at his feet, with an eye for playing progressive passes through the lines. This could work well in England's setup, with the likes of Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Cole Palmer extremely capable of finding half-spaces and receiving the ball with their back to goal.

Tuchel, the manager who plucked Hall out of Chelsea’s academy at 17, will likely be keeping an eye on his progression over the coming months, and, if he can maintain consistent performances at the highest level, expect him to be a part of the German's first squad selection.

Ben Chilwell

While Ben Chilwell hasn't been part of Enzo Maresca's plans at Chelsea, a loan move to Crystal Palace could act as the perfect opportunity to get his career back on track.

Of the current left-back options, it's safe to say that Tuchel knows Chilwell best, having managed him in Chelsea's 2020/21 UEFA Champions League winning campaign.

He deployed him as a left wing-back during his tenure at Chelsea and, if the German is to opt for a back-three setup once more, don't be surprised to see Chilwell called upon.

Of course, Chilwell will have to prove to the former Chelsea boss that he still has the capabilities to play a big part for his nation, but minutes under Oliver Glasner's Crystal Palace should be aplenty and match fitness shouldn't be a problem by the time Tuchel comes round to picking his first squad selection.

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