Manchester City right-back Rico Lewis is reportedly already under consideration for a call-up to the senior England squad.
The 18-year-old is enjoying a breakthrough season at the Etihad Stadium under Pep Guardiola, forcing his way into the starting XI over Joao Cancelo and Kyle Walker in recent weeks.
Lewis has made 14 senior appearances for the Premier League champions this season, and he scored his first goal for the club in a 3-1 Champions League win over Sevilla in November.
The teenager's emergence played a part in Cancelo's surprise loan move to Bayern Munich in the January transfer window, with Lewis starting four of Man City's six Premier League games since Boxing Day.
The Bury-born defender has represented England from Under-16 to Under-19 level, and he has earned three caps for Simon Rusk's team in September's European Championship qualifiers.
Despite the intense competition for right-back spots in the senior England ranks, the Evening Standard claims that Lewis is already being considered for his maiden call-up.
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Gareth Southgate's team will take on Italy, Ukraine, North Macedonia and Malta in their Euro 2024 qualifying group, starting with clashes against the reigning European champions on March 23 before a meeting with Ukraine on March 26.
Speaking to the media after City's 4-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur earlier this month, Guardiola - who launched a brutal attack on his senior players - was full of praise for the emerging Lewis, describing his energy as "contagious".
"Some players have five Premier Leagues. Why in your mind should you fight again. But that's why we need Rico Lewis because for him it's wow, it's new," Guardiola explained.
"'I want to be there, I want to play, I want to stay a long time here, I want to win one Premier League'. And this energy is contagious. He gives it to me and he gives it to the players. It puts pressure for the other ones. And it is so necessary."
Lewis, who is in line to make his fifth Premier League start of the season in Sunday's trip to Tottenham, also admitted that he felt 'overwhelmed' by his rapid rise into the first XI.
"I feel like I belong but it doesn't feel like I'm part of the team. Every game for me is just a massive surprise. I didn't expect to play any games. It's just overwhelming really," Lewis added.
Man City remain second in the Premier League table and five points adrift of leaders Arsenal ahead of their visit to the Gunners' North London rivals this weekend.
Ben Knapton
