Rico shows incredible maturity: It's not about being called up by the national team - but staying there

Rico Lewis, drawing inspiration from fellow Manchester City and England teammate Kyle Walker, has been steadily evolving into one of the nation's most promising prospects. It's the best way to learn the ways at Manchester City, quite possibly the best team in the world, but it's also the best way to accelerate his development. Getting a call from his country is a certain sign that he's been moving in the right direction.

Securing his maiden call-up to the England senior squad, Lewis entered the fold as a late addition due to several squad regulars nursing injuries, offering him and former City teammate Cole Palmer their first taste of national team involvement under Gareth Southgate.

England must win against Malta and North Macedonia even thou they are already qualified for EURO 2024

Despite a modest 35 first-team appearances for Manchester City, the 18-year-old is swiftly making his mark among the globe's top emerging talents, benefitting from considerable club-level exposure and experience. While the club's coaching staff is consistently supportive, Lewis also finds guidance from Walker, who, with a 15-year seniority advantage, offers valuable advice and mentorship.

"I would probably say the coaches I've had all the way through City. Most of the values that the first team have had since Pep joined have been throughout the whole academy. All the coaches have had a massive impact on forming who I am today and the kind of player I am. I'd say more recently, in the first team, Kyle Walker and, obviously, the manager. They've been so helpful in building up confidence and also given me the tools and the kind of information I needed to be better."

While naturally drawn to seeking advice from Walker, the young right-back, a standout talent and one of England's finest in that position, remains connected and engaged with everyone else within the club.

"I'd say off the pitch, I'm closer with Phil Foden and the younger players and stuff like that, but definitely on the pitch and giving me the important information before a game - definitely, Kyle."

Lewis, who will celebrate his 19th birthday while away with England, was initially set to represent the under-21s over the international break. Upon announcing the initial squad, Southgate spoke openly of wanting the City star to get good minutes and develop with Lee Carsley's side. His call-up was late, but that won't dampen the excitement.

He and Palmer were captured on England's social media channels upon arriving at St George's Park, where they met the rest of the squad, including four members currently also part of Manchester City. Achieving a lifelong goal as a young Blue, he remains determined not to rest on his laurels.

"It's fantastic. I always watched YouTube videos of the arrivals and stuff like that. I think a lot of people watch them. Then to be to be pulling up and seeing the cameras and stuff like that, it's a bit surreal. When it comes down to the training, you've got to switch on and focus on why you're here.

To get your maiden international call-up is a big deal, but that is not the destination - only the start of a long road Lewis is keen to travel. Now he has to earn the right to stay in an England shirt.

"You have to show why you deserve to come again next time and get picked for other things. I don't need to focus on being picked for certain things. I just need to focus on myself and what I can do and what's in my control, and that's working hard every day and trying to progress and achieve the best I can do every time I train, every time I play."

EURO 2024 QUALIFIERS

Wednesday

22:45: (6.00) Israel (4.00) Switzerland (1.57)

Thursday

20:00: (13.0) Estonia (5.70) Austria (1.25)

20:00: (50.0) Cyprus (20.0) Spain (1.03)

20:00: (3.25) Georgia (3.35) Scotland (2.25)

20:00: (7.25) Azerbaijan (4.40) Sweden (1.45)

20:00: (6.25) Bulgaria (3.70) Hungary (1.60)

22:45: (1.75) Slovakia (3.70) Iceland (5.50)

22:45: (1.35) Montenegro (5.30) Lithuania (10.5)

22:45: (2.95) Luxembourg (3.30) B&H (2.60)

22:45: (95.0) Liechtenstein (28.0) Portugal (1.01)

Friday

18:00: (1.03) Kazakhstan (18.0) San Marino (90.0)

20:00: (5.00) Moldova (3.50) Albania (1.85)

20:00: (1.95) Finland (3.50) N.Ireland (4.40)

22:45: (2.45) Poland (3.35) Czech R. (3.15)

22:45: (1.58) Denmark (4.00) Slovenia (7.00)

22:45: (1.13) Italy (10.5) Macedonia (22.0)

22:45: (1.01) England (28.0) Malta (95.0)

Saturday

17:00: (4.40) Armenia (3.50) Wales (1.95)

20:00: (1.57) Belarus (3.80) Andorra (8.00)

20:00: (22.0) Latvia (10.5) Croatia (1.13)

22:45: (1.33) Switzerland (5.40) Kosovo (11.0)

22:45: (1.15) Netherlands (9.50) R.Ireland (19.0)

22:45: (2.85) Israel (3.20) Romania (2.60)

22:45: (1.01) France (25.0) Gibraltar (70.0)

Sunday

20:00: (1.10) Sweden (11.0) Estonia (37.0)

22:45: (12.0) Liechtenstein (5.50) Luxembourg (1.32)

22:45: (2.40) B&H (3.40) Slovakia (3.20)

22:45: (2.10) Scotland (3.50) Norway (3.80)

***odds are subject to change***