England defender Rico Lewis hopes to leverage his versatility as he strives to make a late push for Euro 2024.
Gareth Southgate will announce a 23-man squad for the upcoming finals in Germany, having had the opportunity to select 26 players for both Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup.
This implies that the competition for positions will be more intense than in recent years, with Southgate acknowledging that those who demonstrate greater adaptability could have a competitive advantage.
Players such as Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kieran Trippier, and Phil Foden have the ability to play in various positions on the pitch.
Similarly, Lewis, the 18-year-old, has demonstrated versatility by playing in both full-back roles and in midfield for Manchester City, the treble-winners.
Although he has not made his senior England debut, Rico Lewis received his first call-up last week. He will aim to earn playing time in the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifier away to North Macedonia on Monday.
“Obviously, in terms of a tournament, you can only select the amount you can select,” he said.
“It (versatility) can be a key factor in going or not going. But for me, I am not really focusing on that right now but I understand it is a key thing that could contribute to me being picked or not.
“Obviously he (Southgate) has asked me about where I want to play, my favourite position, stuff like that.”
With Southgate’s current camp already limited in defensive options, Lewis’s chances in Skopje have received a boost, especially with Trippier not traveling due to personal reasons.
