England’s backbone, forged in Brighton! Levi Colwill earned his stripes alongside Lewis Dunk last season… and could now start for the Three Lions at the Euros instead of Harry Maguire

Typically, it was Harry Maguire who was publicly blamed for the goal that knocked England out of the World Cup in December.

Olivier Giroud switched between Maguire and defensive partner John Stones to send France to the semi-finals.

Looking back, it’s easy to conclude why Maguire was considered the culprit: a split-second loss of concentration.

That doesn’t necessarily reflect the truth though, as before the stage of play leading up to Giroud’s goal, little is known that the French striker was actually Stones’ responsibility.

Maguire tried, but failed, to get on the cover as Stones temporarily lost Giroud.

Lewis Dunk, who teamed up with Dunk at the Amex, also earned a Three Lions call-up this month

Not that it really matters of course. The only detail that bothered Maguire of Stones that night was England’s imminent departure.

It was a rare mistake for a central defender who has served England with distinction.

It was a comforting sight for Gareth Southgate during his seven-year reign with England. But for the first time, the partnership is really under threat.

The exceptional Stones, if they are fit, will remain at the heart of the defense for next summer’s European Championship.

But Maguire’s place is less clear. He doesn’t play regularly enough for Manchester United to guarantee a spot in Southgate’s squad.

A departure from Old Trafford in January could change the trajectory of his England career. But after he was already warned by the head coach that his international place is in danger, a problem looms.

Harry Maguire’s place appears to be in jeopardy given his lack of playing time at Manchester United

Indeed, it would have been interesting to see if Maguire would have been selected for the upcoming matches against Ukraine and Scotland had Stones and Tyrone Mings not been ruled out due to injury.

As a result, Levi Colwill, Marc Guehi and Lewis Dunk will all see opportunities this week.

Guehi has benefited greatly from a plan by Southgate and other key members of England’s coaching staff to invest in a young centre-back amid concerns over options behind Maguire and Stones.

Back then, the Crystal Palace star ticked all the boxes and is now proving he belongs on the international scene.

But it’s Colwill’s emergence that really gets Southgate rubbing its hands. A dominant defender, brimming with technical skill and composure. His ability to pick a pass or run through the lines is a trait that England particularly loves.

The pièce de résistance: he is left-footed. If ever there was a player tailored to fill the left-sided role on the team, it’s Colwill.

If ever there was a player tailor-made to fill the left-sided role in England’s defence, it’s Colwill

Ask those close to the draft and many of them will tell you that Colwill has a real chance of starting next summer in the European Championship, let alone being in the squad.

“Football has changed a lot thanks to the tactics of the managers and it suits me very well as a defender who likes to play football,” said Colwill.

“I like to attack from behind. Stone is a role model. When I see him now, he’s a great player. So calm on the ball. If I want to improve myself, I have to look at these players, especially Thiago Silva.

“I remember when I was younger and watching him. Especially these players who are technically great and calm on the ball. It certainly helped me shape myself around them.”

Playing under the trailblazing Roberto De Zerbi during a loan spell at Brighton last season helped fuel Colwill’s beliefs in ballplay. The Italian has turned Brighton into one of the most attractive teams in Europe.

Colwill, who has since returned to Chelsea, would vouch for that. Like his defensive partner from last season Dunk, the heartbeat of De Zerbi’s revolution. “I don’t think people realize how good he (Dunk) really is,” Colwill said.

Dunk credited his re-emergence to Roberto De Zerbi after his five-year hiatus from the Three Lions

‘Being able to play and train with him every day made me realize what he could do and playing with him helped me a lot.’

The feeling is mutual for Dunk, who took Colwill under his wing last season. It has taken 31-year-old Dunk five years to rejoin the England squad, following an initial call-up in 2018.

He credits his re-emergence to De Zerbi, saying: ‘I see the game differently since the new manager joined Brighton, I see it in a different way.

“Football is not what I thought it was. Just like we’re playing right now. The idea of ​​what I was doing before made sense to me.

“But if you learn something completely different, you believe in it and that makes sense. You think, “Why didn’t I know this?” and, “Why didn’t I do this before?”

“Obviously we played football under Graham (Potter). But the details that Roberto has now added are incredible.’