Next in Line: Three Left-Backs Ready to Step Into Luke Shaw’s Role

As Thomas Tuchel’s first major tournament as England manager is just around the corner as the 2026 World Cup looms, all eyes are on one position, a position which could be argued as their weakest to date, however, they aren't short of candidates.

The left back position is a position that England fans shouldn't worry about when looking at the options on paper given these three extremely bright talents could take the starting job as early as next summer’s World Cup. With Luke Shaw’s game clearly lacking the talent to be England’s starting left back, tackling injuries and playing poor football probably won't be enough to convince Thomas Tuchel that he is the man for the job, and these three players will have better opportunities to rise to the occasion.

Lewis Hall

Lewis Hall is probably the most likely competitor for Luke Shaw in terms of earning the starting job as left back after bolstering his career after moving to Newcastle, and at only 21 making a really solid impression as one of the Premier League’s best fullbacks. Hall who has become a vital part of the Newcastle setup under Eddie Howe looks like a real possibility as England’s future starting left back, and is on his way to being one of the best defensive fullbacks in the league.

What Hall has compared to the others is exceptional defensive capabilities; in a world of inverted fullbacks and wingbacks, Hall is everything you want from a stay at home defensive fullback, but has the capabilities to get forward and be a real threat. Had Tuchel decided it's time for a change to get some young swagger in the team, replacing Shaw, Hall is the obvious option, and barring any injuries, and some serious progression over the course of the season, European football, Premier League football, and international experience is all Hall will need to make a serious case for the job, and is probably Shaw’s biggest threat.

Djed Spence

After joining Spurs back in 2022 following an exceptional season on loan with Nottingham Forest during their promotion season, Spence found it difficult to adapt and find a spot in the Spurs team, ultimately resulting in loans, low game time, and pretty much being written off as a Spurs player. However, consistent mentality to be a better player, and solid performances led to him being one of Spurs’ more underappreciated players, and with what he has done with them since being inducted into the team is something worthy of applauding.

Being a major part of their Europa League winning team last season, and now becoming a cornerstone of the starting lineup, Spence’s game has panned out to be everything it was expected to be, a versatile, young and confident footballer. As one of the more fluid and versatile fullbacks in the Premier League, as an out-and-out right back, his capabilities at the left back position have really been on show the past couple of months, and as interesting as he is, Tuchel could benefit from taking such an adaptive and confident fullback. He can attack, he can defend, and he has a winning mentality, and having already been tested under Tuchel’s regime, his chances of winning the job aren’t out of conversation yet.

Myles Lewis-Skelly

One of Arsenal’s ‘Golden Boy’s’, and one of England’s future talents, Myles Lewis-Skelly might not be starting material yet, but he isn't out of the conversation yet, and who knows with his progression where he could become the summer of next season. A breakout season last year as a 17 year old with a team who were competing with the best of the best in the Premier League and in Europe, Myles Lewis-Skelly has been nothing short of generational so far, and his sights will 100% be set on that starting job for England in 2026.

As a natural defensive midfielder, his adaptability to play as an inverted fullback has been impressive so far for Arsenal, and has now become a household name, and one to keep in contention for England. Whether it is his physical attributes which put him ahead of the others, or just the pure rapid nature of his development, Lewis-Skelly is someone who could leap to new heights this season, and if his defensive and attacking capabilities only get better, it won't be long until we see him starting in an England shirt. As one of the more impressive young talents, this season will prove whether he is ready to take the starting role, and will prove whether he is England’s next big utility man.