GARETH Southgate felt he had no choice but to start a half-fit Luke Shaw in the Euro 2024 final. The Manchester United man hadn’t played any other game in the tournament, but England lacked another natural left-back in their squad. How Southgate surely wishes he’d had Myles Lewis-Skelly, Nico O’Reilly and Lewis Hall to pick from.

In just one season, England’s problem position has become an area of strength. At Euro 2024, there was a clear weakness in Southgate’s side as Kieran Trippier (a right-back by trade) filled in on the left side of defence. Now, Lewis-Skelly, O’Reilly and Hall are making their mark as three of the best young left-backs anywhere in the world.

Lewis-Skelly has been particularly eye-catching since making his first team breakthrough for Arsenal earlier this season. The 18-year-old plays with maturity well beyond his years and has given the Gunners a different dimension on the ball, such is the assurance he demonstrates when coming forward in possession.

Having made his name in Arsenal’s academy as a midfielder, Lewis-Skelly is perfect for Mikel Arteta’s system, which demands more on the ball from the Gunners’ full-backs. The teenager is getting better and better and could still win the Champions League in his first season as a senior player.

O’Reilly hasn’t quite made the same profound impact for Manchester City, but he has certainly put himself on the radar as Pep Guardiola prepares for a rebuild. The 20-year-old has scored in each of his last two Premier League appearances (against Crystal Palace and Everton) and looks comfortable at such a high level. 

 

Like Lewis-Skelly, O’Reilly played the majority of his football at youth level in midfield, and that shows in the way he operates. Against Everton, Guardiola pushed the teenager and Matheus Nunes into central midfield from the full-back positions, helping City to pin back the Goodison Park hosts.

In the medium to long term, O’Reilly might move into a more advanced midfield role with Guardiola recently explaining where he sees the 20-year-old playing for Manchester City in the future. “His position is – I’m pretty sure – as an attacking midfielder and every cross he is on the penalty spot,” said Guardiola.

“That’s what I like as an attacking midfielder. I’m pretty sure [he is a midfielder]; otherwise, he doesn’t score the goals like he has scored so far. He likes to be there; he has a good shot and quality in small spaces, and it’s helping us.” For the time being, though, O’Reilly is playing on the left side of the City defence.

Then there’s Hall, who has enjoyed a strong season for Newcastle United. Of course, Hall has been on the radar for a number of seasons and made his Premier League breakthrough at Chelsea before being sold to the St. James’ Park club in 2023. Nonetheless, Hall has made great progress in recent months.

 

Of course, Thomas Tuchel is only just getting his feet under the desk in his new job. The former Bayern Munich and Chelsea boss is learning about the players he has inherited from Southgate, but Lewis-Skelly, O’Reilly, and Hall are three players from England’s next generation who could make an immediate impression.

Tuchel’s appointment at the start of 2025 was a signal of intent from England. The Three Lions must win the 2026 World Cup to achieve fulfillment after making the final of the last two Euros. That might be easier now that the Three Lions have a new contingent to plug the biggest, most glaring gap in the lineup. 

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