Rico Lewis has already played in both full-back roles and in midfield for Manchester City.
Rico Lewis is optimistic that his versatility will help him to find a place in Euro 2024. England manager Gareth Southgate has named a 23-man squad for Euro 2024 in Germany.
It would be really tough for England to pick the best squad due to the competition. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kieran Trippier and Phil Foden can occupy several different positions on the pitch.
Rico Lewis has already played in both full-back roles and in midfield for Manchester City. He hasn’t made England debut but was called up for the first time last week. He will be targeting minutes in the final qualifier game to North Macedonia on Monday.
“Obviously, in terms of a tournament, you can only select the amount you can select,” he said.
“It (versatility) can be a key factor in going or not going. But for me, I am not really focusing on that right now but I understand it is a key thing that could contribute to me being picked or not.
“Obviously he (Southgate) has asked me about where I want to play, my favourite position, stuff like that.”
When he was asked if he would be happy to fill in at left-back, where Southgate is particularly bereft of options, Lewis replied: “Of course. Anywhere I played, I would relish it. Whether it is right-back, midfield, left-back – I am not really bothered.
“I just love playing football and at the moment it is going really well. Any opportunity I get, I will do my best to take it.
“Obviously, it is not something I expected, especially coming into the international week when I was in the under-21s. Obviously a lot of things happened and fortunately for me I am here now.
“I have enjoyed every minute of it so far: meeting everybody, meeting the players, the staff, the training sessions, everything.”
Southgate admired Lewis as someone who could fill the void given the number of left-backs. He said, “He is an option. He’s a versatile player.”
“I’m really pleased with how he’s trained, he’s settled really well. He’s very comfortable with the ball. He’s played there a few times. He’s played everywhere for City.”
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