The adolescent received the ideal present for his early nineteenth birthday and can use it as motivation to accomplish another Manchester City milestone.
On his England debut, Rico Lewis may have exited the Tose Proeski Arena a little disheartened after giving up a penalty. Yet, he ought not to.
In addition to the indisputable wrongfulness of the penalty kick award, the Manchester City star established an outstanding initial presence. His ascent from aspiring academy student to senior international has been merited and expeditious. An exquisite birthday present for him, who turns 19 today.
Lewis recently disclosed to the media that he has not had much time to reflect on his recent seasons of success, but that he would benefit from spending a moment or two contemplating his journey. However, not three, as he has a different objective in mind.
When previously queried about his aspirations for an England senior debut, the adolescent acknowledged that it was a wish, but modestly stated that he was more concerned with simply enhancing his own performance.
He initially joined the under-21s, but injuries prompted Gareth Southgate to call him into question. Upon being called up, he was promptly queried regarding his remote chances of making the Euro 2024 squad, considering his versatility at both full-back and midfield, positions he occupied against North Macedonia.
“Clearly, the quantity that you can select is the only limitation in a tournament, and that can be a deciding factor in whether or not you attend. “However, I am not concentrating on that at the moment, although I am aware that it is a crucial factor that could determine whether or not I am selected,” Lewis explained.
“Up to this point, I have savored each moment of it—getting to know the players, personnel, and attending training sessions—everything.
“At games and leading up to tournaments, it is vital that you all feel like a cohesive unit as a squad.” It is of the utmost importance to me that I feel as near to and at ease with everyone as possible.
This season, Lewis has performed admirably in Champions League group matches and has occasionally dictated the action at the highest level of club football. In contrast, he has made only two starts in the Premier League this season and has yet to log a complete 90 minutes in the competition.
This accomplishment was doomed to be difficult considering the summer acquisitions of Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes, in addition to his youth. However, Lewis has developed exceptionally rapidly, having also started at right back when Kyle Walker was sidelined.
His hybrid position of full-back-turn-midfielder exemplifies the academy product’s remarkable versatility, which is a true hallmark of this Pep Guardiola squad. Given his England debut and heightened club obligations, the footballer from Bury should be setting ambitious goals.
We should not be hesitant to express our desire for that peripheral Euro 2024 spot. Not likely? Logically, perhaps. Yet unattainable? Undoubtedly not.
His best chance of accomplishing that will be to earn more starts in the Premier League for City, thereby becoming a name that Southgate frequently recalls. Lewis’ experience in England may serve as a revitalized motivation to advance to the next level at City, despite the fact that Euro 2024 aspirations are arguably neglected but not forgotten.
Seven months of opportunity remain for the player. Additionally, he is not under much England duress, so he is free to determine the amount of emphasis he places on the target. However, he possesses the capability to at least contend for a position and should not allow modesty to impede his early ambitions.