Rico Lewis Outlines Path to Return to Thomas Tuchel's Squad Following England U21 Heroics

Rico Lewis Outlines Path to Return to Thomas Tuchel's Squad Following England U21 Heroics Rico Lewis has featured for England's U21s of late but is keen to soon return to playing under Thomas Tuchel. More Videos Lewis, 21, is with Lee Carsley's England U21 squad for the November international break, starting Friday night's 1-0 friendly defeat to Portugal at Ashton Gate in Bristol. The Manchester City defender was a late call-up to Tuchel's senior squad in October, replacing the injured Nico O'Reilly for the UEFA Nations League meeting with Czechia at Wembley, almost two years after the last of his five senior caps. Lewis has been a bit-part player under Enzo Maresca this season, starting the opening-day win over Bournemouth before coming off the bench at half-time at Aston Villa and providing two assists from midfield in October's 5-1 Champions League win over AEK Athens. What you do off the pitch will most likely leak onto the pitch, says Lewis In an interview with Give Me Sport at the U21 Three Lions camp, Lewis was asked about the role he can play within the England setup. "I've got my experience of being here already and with the seniors," the Manchester City star said. "I think in terms of on the pitch and off the pitch, standards and making sure I'm driving them as much as I can with the other players that have been here for a while as well. "What you do off the pitch will most likely leak onto the pitch, good or bad. So if it's good off the pitch, then there's no excuse for it to not be good on the pitch as well, and vice versa." Lewis was then asked about getting back into Tuchel's senior squad, having struggled for a look-in at Manchester City in the last 18 months. He added: "I definitely appreciate all the help that comes with the England structure in general. But for me, it kind of links to what we said about the goal in 12 months' time, is playing as many games as I can." The 21-year-old told the same outlet that he wants to play in midfield, where he feels he can best help the team going forward with goals and assists, despite having enjoyed his versatility across several positions during his time at City. Maresca has said that Lewis can operate in both midfield and defence, with his role depending on where the team needs him from game to game, and the Italian was pleased with the England international's display after his introduction at Villa Park. Matheus Nunes has started the majority of Manchester City's Premier League games at right-back this season despite being a natural midfielder, with Abdukodir Khusanov also used there, whilst the club have been linked with a January move for Villarreal right-back Alex Freeman. Lewis admitted after the AEK Athens win that he had not spent much time on the pitch this season, but said that focusing on his own game during that night at the Etihad Stadium had given his confidence a significant boost. Nottingham Forest were reported to have explored a move for Lewis last summer, but he had already committed his future to Manchester City by signing a five-year contract extension in September 2025 that runs until 2030. The City Football Academy broke into the first team during the treble-winning 2022-23 campaign under Pep Guardiola, scoring against Sevilla in the UEFA Champions League group-stage - and winning the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League that season. Carsley's U21 side face France at Ashton Gate on Monday night after Afonso Moreira's 28th-minute strike settled Friday's meeting with Portugal, with City loanees Max Alleyne, Stephen Mfuni and Divin Mubama also part of the squad alongside Lewis. City head into the international break on the back of three straight Premier League defeats and six points behind leaders Arsenal , and Lewis turns 22 on the day the Blues return to league action against Fulham . The Blues return from the international break at home to Fulham at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday 21 November, before hosting Napoli in the Champions League on Tuesday 24 November and visiting Arsenal on Sunday 29 November.