Levi Colwill: Chelsea Defender on the Rise
Levi Colwill is one of the most talked-about young players in the Premier League. The 20-year-old defender has had an impressive season, helping Brighton & Hove Albion qualify for the Europa League and earning a call-up to the senior England squad. He is now part of the England Under-21s team in the quarter-finals of the European Championship, where they are yet to concede a goal and face Portugal on Sunday.
Colwill’s manager at Brighton, Roberto de Zerbi, has been widely praised for his role in the Seagulls’ success and Colwill believes it is his search for “perfection” that has helped him progress so quickly as a player. Chelsea are in talks with Colwill about a new deal, and his current contract does not expire until 2025.
Colwill’s Breakthrough Year
Despite only starting 13 Premier League games and playing just nine games for the Young Lions, Colwill has had a breakthrough year. He believes that De Zerbi’s tough approach is what he needed to improve as a player. “Training with him is very tough, but it’s what you need,” Colwill said. “He’s helped me improve so much this season you wouldn’t understand.”
De Zerbi’s approach has given Colwill the confidence to play his normal game. “During games you hear him on the side and he’ll be giving you information all the time,” Colwill said. “That’s the sort of person he is, he just wants to help you progress as a player. He sees the potential in me and during this season he was very tough with me, but I can’t complain.”
Impressing Gareth Southgate
Colwill has had a taste of what it is like to work under Gareth Southgate in the senior squad. He was called up to join the team for their European qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia following the withdrawals of Jude Bellingham and club team-mate Lewis Dunk. The defender is aiming to break into Southgate’s squad for the European Championship in Germany next summer, and had another chance to impress the England manager as Southgate has been part of the U21 camp for the past few days.
“Going up and training with them is one thing, but I’ve got to keep up my performances next season,” Colwill said. “I need to play. I need to do well. There are so many things that come into you going back there. I don’t think it’s a case of, ‘I’m close now, I might go up on the next camp’. I’ve got to keep playing, and playing well. That will be a big thing for me next season.”
Colwill knows that Southgate watches everything and there are no excuses for not performing at his best. “You have to take that into consideration,” Colwill said. “It doesn’t matter if he’s watching training because he always hears things when he isn’t. There is never a time to take your foot off the gas. You always have to be at 100% because you know he’s watching.”
More to Come from Levi Colwill
Despite his excellent season, Colwill does not think he has played his best football yet. “I’m getting loads of praise but I’m still making mistakes that not everyone sees because I’m getting so much praise,” Colwill said. “I know I can be much better and have so much more to come.”
Success in the European Championship would cap an excellent season for Colwill, who is determined to keep pushing himself to reach his full potential and break into Southgate’s squad for next summer’s tournament.