A Manchester United wonderkid trained with England’s senior squad today.
Shea Lacey, 18, was given the chance by Thomas Tuchel after impressing with Manchester United’s under-21s.
Lacey, a right winger and atatcking midfielder, struck twice against Crystal Palace’s U21s recently and has been training sometimes with Ruben Amorim’s first team.
He has drawn comparisons with Phil Foden and Daily Mail Sport’s Manchester United reporter Nathan Salt believes he has ‘superstar potential’.
Alongside Lacey, Lakyle Samuel and Harrison Murray-Campbell were also given a shot at England’s first-team session on Wednesday.
Samuel, 19, is a Manchester City defender on loan at Bromley in League Two. Murray-Campbell, also 19, is a defender on the books at Chelsea.
Manchester United wonderkid Shea Lacey was given a chance in England senior training
Thomas Tuchel gave him and two other youngsters a chance in training on Wednesday
England face Wales in a friendly on Thursday and Latvia in a World Cup qualifier next week
After getting involved with first-team training last month, Lacey left a lasting impression on Amorim.
He has had to overcome injury troubles in recent years but that has not stopped him being an incredibly positive player on the ball.
Last week, he played his first full 90 minutes since October 2023.
At a recent win away to Liverpool’s Under 21s a stand full of scouts – from EFL and Premier League clubs – got up to leave once Lacey went off. In their mind, the show was over.
Harry Maguire and others in the first team have been taken aback by Lacey’s level having seen him up close in training and calls are growing louder to get him closer to a first-team matchday squad.
The highest age group Lacey has played at for England is the under-17s.
This month, he received his maiden call-up to the under-20s side – still two steps away from the first-team – but his progress is clearly accelerating quickly.
Tuchel has proven he is not afraid to stick his neck on the line with gutsy calls.
The big-name omission from his squad this time around is Jude Bellingham, who is back available after recovering from his summer shoulder surgery.
He has also given Nico O’Reilly a call-up in place of Reece James, despite the Manchester City star only being only 10 starts deep into his Premier League career.
England could guarantee their place at the World Cup this international break if results go their way.
Afetr a friendly showdown with Wales at Wembley on Thursday, they go to Latvia hoping to book their place in the United States, Caanda, and Mexico for next year.
