Thomas Tuchel has called Rico Lewis up to England's senior squad, promoting the 21-year-old Manchester City defender from the Under-21s ahead of Tuesday's UEFA Nations League fixture against Czechia at Wembley. Lewis takes the place of club teammate Nico O'Reilly, who has returned to City for further assessment after missing the 2-0 win away in Prague.
It's a real opportunity for Lewis, whose last England cap came under interim boss Lee Carsley back in November 2024. He has five senior caps in total, making his debut as a teenager in the Euro 2024 qualifier draw with North Macedonia in November 2023. And he's hardly been idle: Lewis played twice for the U21s during this break, helping Carsley's side seal qualification for the 2027 UEFA U21 Euros.
The recall caps a fine weekend for the Three Lions, fresh from Saturday night's 7-0 thrashing of Croatia in Rijeka. O'Reilly's absence is a blow — Tuchel admitted he'd tried everything to get him fit — but Lewis can cover both full-back spots and midfield, and he'll know Tuesday at Wembley is his stage now. After two years in the cold, the door's open again. Time to walk through it.