Rico Lewis set to start for England vs Finland alongside Manchester City duo in UEFA Nations League clash | OneFootball

The ongoing and meteoric rise of Rico Lewis is set to continue into the UEFA Nations League this week, with reports pointing towards an expected start at Wembley Stadium.

The teenage talent has been in outstanding form throughout pre-season for Manchester City, carrying his performances into the competitive season by holding down his place at right-back in Pep Guardiola’s team.

With successive victories over Manchester United in the FA Community Shield, and in the club’s opening three Premier League games against Chelsea, Ipswich Town, and West Ham United, Rico Lewis has been a shining light in multiple positions explored from right-back.

Despite starting contests in the full-back position in Guardiola’s defence, his intelligence and versatility within the game has enabled him to support Mateo Kovacic in the defensive midfield area of the pitch, whilst also showcasing an ability to venture forward into attack.

Those performances and his ongoing rise within the Manchester City first-team, which first started off the back of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, has now translated to the England senior team for the second time in his young career.

According to the information of MailSport’s Sami Mokbel, Manchester City’s 19-year-old Academy graduate Rico Lewis is in line to start for England against Finland in UEFA Nations League action at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday night.

Familiar faces are expected to stand alongside Lewis in the England line-up under the Wembley arch this week, with the report stating that interim head coach Lee Carsley is also pondering a start for John Stones in central defence.

Following a bright showing in Dublin last week, Jack Grealish could also retain his place in the Three Lions system, hoping to build on a goal at the Aviva Stadium that set England en route to a 0-2 win over the Republic of Ireland.

With Kyle Walker struggling for form and consistency in Pep Guardiola’s picture at the start of the ongoing season, there remains a strong chance that Rico Lewis could establish himself as Manchester City’s first-choice right-back this season.

Walker returned late to Manchester City duties following the European Championships in the summer, having contributed heavily to England’s route to the final in Berlin and being granted an extended break away from club action.

While Guardiola has insisted Walker is still able to offer plenty to his team, and abilities that Rico Lewis cannot provide, City will be aware of the need to begin sourcing a capable successor to the legendary defender and in the Bury-born teenager, they may have found just that.