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Former England midfielder Danny Murphy has heaped praise on Arsenal rising star Myles Lewis-Skelly but warned that the teenager must prepare for intense scrutiny and distractions as he climbs to the top of the game.
The 18-year-old, who made his Premier League debut in September, has enjoyed a meteoric rise this season, earning a place in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad. Not only did Lewis-Skelly make the squad, but he also started both of England’s recent wins over Albania and Latvia, marking his international debut with a goal.
Capable of playing both at left-back and in midfield, Lewis-Skelly has attracted widespread acclaim for his performances. However, Murphy cautions that while the Arsenal youngster has the potential to be England’s left-back for the next decade, he must remain grounded and develop a thick skin to handle the pressures of stardom.
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“Myles Lewis-Skelly could be England’s left-back for the next decade,” Murphy told Poker Firma. “He has so many wonderful attributes—he’s quick, brilliant on the ball, and comfortable stepping into midfield to get involved in play. He also has a real tenacity and passion that fans love.”
Former Liverpool player Danny Murphy (Image credit: Getty Images)Despite his talent, Murphy emphasised the importance of patience and resilience, noting that criticism and high expectations will come with his rapid rise.
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“He still needs time to make mistakes and develop, but he’s already proven that he can play at the top level,” Murphy added. “There’s going to be a serious amount of expectation on him, especially since he’s now showing he can compete in the Premier League and Champions League every week.
“He has what it takes to go all the way, but he needs to handle the noise and attention that come with it. When he has a bad game, he will face criticism. We’ve already seen moments where he’s been sent off—he’s still growing. But in my eyes, he has all the attributes to become a key England player for years to come.”
Lewis-Skelly will return to action on April 1 when Arsenal hosts Fulham in the Premier League. However, his biggest test yet looms on the horizon, as the Gunners prepare to face Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals, with the first leg set for April 8 in North London and the return leg in Spain the following week.
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