The 20-year-old defender had a productive loan spell with Brighton & Hove Albion last season and carried that form to Chelsea.
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Levi Colwill has been enjoying a dream time of late, with the versatile defender experiencing plenty of noticeable moments during the past 12 months. The 20-year-old defender had a productive loan spell with Brighton & Hove Albion last season and carried that form to Chelsea. At Stamford Bridge, he has been an important player despite mainly playing as a left-back. Along the way, Colwill has also made his senior international bow with England.
Mauricio Pochettino has played a key part in the defender’s development in recent months. Speaking about his relationship with Pochettino, the 20-year-old had nothing but good words to describe the Chelsea manager. “He is a good guy and I have a good relationship with him. It’s one based on trust; that’s a big part of it. I trust him and he trusts me. So we keep on building that relationship and hopefully, we can get the wins for him,” Colwill, quoted on the club’s website, said.
He added: “He knows I am a centre-back but he knows this [playing at full-back] will help me in the future. When I go back to centre-half, I’ll understand what the full-back needs from me a lot more. That will make a bit of difference. And it’s got me in the England squad and I’ve made my debut. That might not have happened if the gaffer hadn’t used me there. I am grateful.”
The English international has spoken about how he has gone from being quiet in the dressing room to helping out other players whenever possible. “I’ve come out of my shell a lot more this season. Last season, I was a lot quieter, but this season, with a group of players similar in age, and new boys coming in, I’ve tried to help everyone as much as I can and put an arm around them. I think people have seen that in the changing room,” he explained.
The defender added: “I am here to help and any knowledge I can pass on I will. There are a few leaders in the changing room and we’ve got to help as much as we can. There have been a lot of ups and downs this season. We’re learning a lot as a young team, which is important for the future. But we are improving, you can feel that around the building. It’s a group of new players that have never played with each other before. We need to adapt and understand everyone’s attributes and build from there. We’re improving and that is the main thing.”
Colwill then went on to speak about the challenges of playing as a left-back compared to his usual centre-back position. “Like the team, there have been ups and downs this season. Obviously, I’m playing in a different position – everyone knows I’m a centre-back – but I am trying to help the team and learn as much as I can to help me in the future. There have been good moments and I am happy to keep learning for the future when I return to centre-half. There have been a few things [which are different]. In terms of one-versus-one defending, as a full-back you’re very exposed to the winger,” he elaborated.
He added: “When you’re at centre-back, you have players around you and you can slow them down. So that has been tough. Sometimes the ball is switched so you have to get over to the winger as fast as possible, put the brakes on, and then you’re in a one-versus-one situation where you have to try to win the ball. Another thing would be where you receive the ball, as a lot of the time you receive the ball on the line. At centre-half, when I’ve got the ball, I’m in control of the situation and can break the lines and start attacks. As a full-back that’s harder, because you’ve got the winger ahead of you, the centre-half next to you, or the midfielder. Those are your options.”
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