How Myles Lewis-Skelly handed Thomas Tuchel major England dilemma

WHEN Thomas Tuchel was appointed England manager back in October, the world had barely heard of Myles Lewis-Skelly.

The left-back had only just made his Arsenal debut as a late sub in a 2-2 draw with Manchester City in the Premier League.

During a post-match fracas at the Etihad, Erling Haaland asked the young Gunner, "Who the f*** are you?" — and Tuchel might well have asked a similar question.

Now, as Tuchel prepares to name his first England squad next week, Lewis-Skelly is providing the German’s most fascinating selection dilemma.

As Mikel Arteta’s men ran amok in Eindhoven on Tuesday night — obliterating the Dutch champions PSV 7-1 — we saw the good and the bad side of 18-year-old MLS.

First, he provided a gorgeous assist for fellow England prospect and old mate Ethan Nwaneri to provide an emphatic finish for the second goal.

But then Lewis-Skelly narrowly avoided a third red card in less than six weeks with two clumsy tackles, which earned him one yellow before he was hooked by Arteta after only 35 minutes.

Since Tuchel’s appointment, Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri are the only two kids to have burst on to the Premier League scene and into serious contention.

For MLS, the prospect of a lightning-fast promotion into the senior squad is far more likely.

The Three Lions have been crying out for a fully-fit left-back for years now.

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With Newcastle’s Lewis Hall - who made his international debut under Lee Carsley in November - ruled out for the season, the Arsenal star has a great chance of being called up.

England’s premier left-back Luke Shaw is, sadly, almost permanently injured and there are few other options.

The issue is Lewis-Skelly’s temperament.

While his first red card against Wolves was rescinded, it was for a wild challenge.

His second sending-off, 17 minutes after coming on as sub in the loss to West Ham, saw Lewis-Skelly undone by the positioning of keeper David Raya.

It meant his foul on Mohammed Kudus was deemed to have denied a goalscoring opportunity. But in Lewis-Skelly’s first match back, in Eindhoven, the youngster was fortunate to find a lenient referee.
Arteta was right to haul Lewis-Skelly off.

And then there was the way he marked his first senior goal, mocking Haaland’s goal celebration in the 5-1 hammering of City at the Emirates last month.

Was this refreshing self-confidence or premature arrogance?

Tuchel faces risk

There is certainly no doubting Lewis-Skelly’s belief but can Tuchel trust such an inexperienced player in World Cup qualifiers?

For Nwaneri, just 17 but with eight goals in his breakthrough season, the route to an England place is more crowded.

Although his Arsenal team-mate Bukayo Saka and Chelsea’s Noni Madueke will miss Tuchel’s first squad through injury, England have plenty of wide options.

Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Anthony Gordon, Jarrod Bowen and Eberechi Eze are among them.

Tuchel is effectively only in the England job for 16 months, with a contract that runs until next year’s World Cup, so he will have less of an eye on the long-term future than predecessor Gareth Southgate.

Unless he can envisage a player capable of featuring in the World Cup final in New Jersey on July 19 next year, he is unlikely to call him up.

For all his promise, Nwaneri is likely to be on the bench once Saka is fit.

So he looks destined for a place in the Under- 21 squad. But for left-back Lewis-Skelly, the World Cup could be calling.