Manchester United legend Roy Keane has claimed that England pair Nico O'Reilly and Marcus Rashford have forged a potent partnership on the pitch, a development that places significant pressure on Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly to reclaim his international place.
Keane's Verdict on England's Left Flank
The pivotal moment came during England's 2-0 victory away in Albania, their 11th consecutive win, where Manchester City's O'Reilly operated at left-back with Rashford providing the attacking threat ahead of him. Their seamless collaboration did not escape the notice of the outspoken pundit.
Analysing the team for ITV Sport, Keane remarked, "It's a strong looking team. There's probably a few positions up for grabs. I still think Rashford and O'Reilly, but people can build up relationships. We saw that the other night." He went on to highlight the specific chemistry between the two players, stating, "Sometimes players just click together. There's nice chemistry between them. There's a nice energy."
Tuchel's Stark Warning Becomes Reality
Keane's praise underscores a growing problem for Arsenal teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly. The 19-year-old, who has been a part of previous England squads, was omitted from the latest selection, and England manager Thomas Tuchel's recent comments have now hit home.
Earlier this month, Tuchel delivered a blunt message to the young Gunner, emphasising that more game time is essential for World Cup selection. The German coach acknowledged Lewis-Skelly's positive character but warned, "it is not enough to just be a good tourist."
This warning has materialised in the current squad dynamics. Tuchel explained the reasoning behind his selection, noting, "Myles, Ruben and Morgan got out-performed by O'Reilly, Alex Scott and Jude Bellingham in their positions." He was unequivocal about the solution, adding, "Myles simply needs more starts, more minutes. Now came a time when O'Reilly had so many starts in that position, so he is slightly ahead for this camp."
Lewis-Skelly's Club Dilemma and Future
The root of the issue lies at club level. After a breakout campaign last season, Lewis-Skelly has found minutes extremely hard to come by at Arsenal this term. He has managed just 87 minutes of Premier League football so far, with a fully fit squad pushing him down the pecking order.
This lack of action has alerted several clubs who are now monitoring his situation with a view to a potential loan move in January. While Arsenal have no plans to sell the teenager, who recently signed a new five-year deal, the player's need for regular football to salvage his World Cup dreams may force a rethink from manager Mikel Arteta.
The situation leaves Lewis-Skelly with a clear mandate: secure first-team football or risk watching the World Cup from the sidelines as the O'Reilly-Rashford partnership continues to flourish for England.
