Former England striker Emile Heskey has advised caution regarding the potential inclusion of Arsenal prospects Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly in the senior England squad, suggesting it is too soon for the young duo to make the step up.
Nwaneri, 17, and Lewis-Skelly, 18, have both showcased their talent within Arsenal’s youth academy, earning recognition at various youth levels for England. Nwaneri remains eligible to represent Nigeria, while Lewis-Skelly could opt to play for Barbados in the future.
Heskey emphasised the importance of gradual integration into the senior setup to protect their development. “It’s crucial to let them familiarise themselves with the first team environment before throwing them into matches,” he said. “Rushing young players could hinder their progress.
They have plenty of time to prepare, and there’s no need for England to hurry them along.”
Meanwhile, Heskey has identified Ipswich Town forward Liam Delap as a potential successor to Harry Kane as England’s leading striker.
He also highlighted Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins and Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke as possible options, though Solanke’s progress has been hampered by injuries in recent times.
The former Leicester City forward’s remarks come amid growing calls for England to introduce fresh attacking options ahead of upcoming international fixtures.
