Manchester City defender Rico Lewis is set for a return to England’s senior football team this week after Thomas Tuchel called him up for their Nations League clash with the Czech Republic to replace his club teammate Nico O’Reilly, who injured himself earlier on.
So far this international break, Lewis was active with their Under-21 side, playing in their 4-2 win over Kazakhstan U21 before a goalless draw with Slovakia U21 that sealed their place in the 2027 Euro U21 championship, completing 90 minutes in both.
Rico Lewis started on the left side of England U21’s back four again on Saturday and had a solid game, playing a vital role in keeping Slovakia U21 at bay with his combative nature of play.
Rico Lewis shows why he should play more for Manchester City
He actively challenged their visitors by jumping into tackles, completing four of his seven attempts while also registering one interception and clearance each.
With 81 completed passes, the full-back was quite involved in aiding and abetting England U21’s spells of sustained pressure while also laying two crosses and key passes each as Lewis brought a lot of urgency, directness, and attacking firepower to the Young Lions’ plays.
Quite remarkably, Lewis also won all nine of his attempted ground duels, a sign of his strength and dominance in one-on-one defending, something that can also help turn Manchester City’s otherwise leaky defense resolute.
Prior to the international break, Lewis had played just one game for them in the Premier League. And although Enzo Maresca’s side boasts a 100% win record, that run will be tested in the days ahead during a daunting nine-game marathon in just 27 days. In Lewis, he has an effective, young full-back who’s been patiently waiting for his chances, and now might be the time to unleash him.
But Rico Lewis isn’t done yet. He’s been promoted to England’s senior team and will be in Tuchel’s matchday squad against the Czech Republic on Tuesday. It marks his first return to the Three Lions fold since November 2024, and he has five international caps to his name with them.
As they aim to manage the workload of their senior players, Tuchel could rotate his lineup and start Lewis, and it’ll be worth seeing if the 21-year-old starlet can replicate his U21 heroics with the senior team too. His Man City coach, Enzo Maresca, for sure would be watching.