Real Madrid C.F. v Arsenal FC - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg
Myles Lewis-Skelly has impressed two of the great Premier League defenders (Picture: Getty Images)
Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher both named Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly as their Young Player of the Season, raving about the 18-year-old.
The full-back only made his Premier League debut on September 22 and didn’t make his first league start until December 14.
However, he has been so impressive that he has already won won two England caps under new Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel.
The teenager did not make it onto the shortlist for the Premier League Young Player of the Season award, but both Carragher and Neville feel he is the standout candidate.
The former Liverpool star feels his especially young age makes him all the more impressive, given how well he has done against elite competition this season.
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‘At 18 you’re a baby,’ Carragher said on Sky Sports. ‘The thought you could win Young Player of the Year at that age. That’s something that Michael Owen does or Wayne Rooney, absolute superstars.
‘I couldn’t believe he wasn’t on that list. The reason I went for him was how well he played in big games that I’ve watched. Against Man City, against Liverpool, in the Bernabeu [against Real Madrid].
England v Albania - European Qualifiers Group K - FIFA World Cup 2026
Lewis-Skelly has already netted for England (Picture: Getty Images)
‘It was more five or six big performance in big venues. I remember going to those venues at 23-24 and that was a lot for me. To actually go there and play well, you felt like you needed to be in your peak to go to these big stadiums and play really well and feel comfortable. To be doing that at 18. Wow!’
Neville feels Lewis-Skelly has swiftly solved a problem for the Gunners at left-back, which much more experienced players have failed to.
‘That’s been a massive problem position for Arsenal,’ said Neville. ‘And he’s gone in and looked like it’s his and he’s always been there.
‘That’s the biggest compliment you can give to a young player, they just slot in. [Bukayo] Saka’s done it in the last few years. To go in that position and do what he’s done.
Arsenal FC v Ipswich Town FC - Premier League
Lewis-Skelly has quickly become a regular for Arsenal (Picture: Getty Images)
‘The ability to take the ball in the biggest games in tight situations. It’s incredible what he’s doing.’
On whether he will be a regular for England going forward, Neville said: ‘Oh definitely. Definitely.
‘The way he’s playing, the maturity that he shows, the way he handles both sides of the games, the defensive and attacking parts.
‘He goes into midfield. All the things you want from a modern full-back. He’s tenacious, he’s aggressive. He understands the position well, he can defend one-on-one. He doesn’t get done on the back-post as much as you might think he would with his height.
‘All the things you want in a full-back, he’s got it. Fantastic start to his career.’
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