Levi Colwill has ambitions to become a Chelsea legend as the England U21 defender is poised to play a key role at Stamford Bridge following his impressive loan spell at Brighton

At one point during England’s recent triumphant Under-21 European Championship campaign, Levi Colwill put his foot on the ball, bringing play to a complete halt for about 30 seconds, and didn’t continue until he was good and ready.

It was a rather fitting, but also memorable incident given how Colwill is doing – he makes them happen at his pace in every way.

On the pitch and inspired by the teachings of ‘perfectionist’ Roberto de Zerbi at Brighton last season, Colwill pushed his way into the Seagulls side and accelerated his development as a striking ball-playing defender who enjoys the responsibility of starting attacks.

Colwill laughed, reflecting on his provoking of Israel: “In the European Championship I had confidence, and if you have confidence, you know what you are doing.

Most of my teammates knew what I was going to do anyway, because I was already doing it in training.

“When I got my foot on the ball, I wasn’t in a hurry. We were leading 1-0, almost half time. If you don’t put pressure on me, there’s no point in passing. Eventually they pressed and we played around them. That’s what happens.’

Meanwhile, Colwill is a young player hungry to learn as quickly as possible by being introduced to first-team football and more than good enough to ensure the opportunities he wants come his way, even at a club so tall as Chelsea and only 20 years old.

“When you play, you can improve the most,” Colwill said.

“You learn things from different players all the time, little tricks. Even if they beat you the whole game, you pick things up so easily. That’s the best way to get better, especially as a young player.

“If I learn this now, in 10 years I will really know what is going on and hopefully I can become a world class player through all the little things I learn.

“If it’s a good game you’re still learning from that, and if it’s a bad game you’re learning more, so playing as much as you can will help you improve faster.”

Having heard from new head coach Mauricio Pochettino what he wanted about his first-team prospects at Chelsea, Colwill was more than happy to sign a new contract last week which could run until 2030 in a major pre-season boost for the club. club.

He has big goals and, given the evidence so far, you wouldn’t bet on him meeting them.

“I’ve always wanted to be at Chelsea, be a Chelsea player and hopefully become a Chelsea legend one day,” he said.

“If we can win everything that is put in front of us, hopefully one day I will become a legend. But not once, keep doing it in multiple seasons.

Colwill’s route to the top began at Southampton, where he started at base club City Central and played alongside now Bayern Munich star Jamal Musiala, who he later joined Chelsea on their ninth anniversary, a date they share.

Colwill comes from a “football crazy” family and said, “So growing up I had no choice.”

His father introduced him to the game he fell in love with, while his uncles have also been major influences.

Four of them – the Mason brothers – are a unique story and famous in Southampton, they have all played for Colwill’s local non-league side Sholing making over 1000 appearances combined and three of them became the first trio of brothers ever to score in the same game since 1978.

“I would go to their games anytime, any chance,” Colwill said.

“When they got promoted I was there with the lads celebrating and it’s a real family feeling to see your uncles doing well too as they are at every game they can be for me. It’s the best in the world.’

A young Colwill was also first introduced to Wembley when he was a mascot alongside one of his uncles for Sholing’s FA Vase final in 2014.

He said, “I remember standing in the tunnel. I was a bit nervous myself and was mesmerized watching Wembley.

‘I never thought I would play there and then I reached the (Championship) play-off final in Huddersfield. I remember walking out there with my uncles and thinking how times have changed. They’re watching me now. It didn’t feel real and it was a bit emotional to be honest.’

From his early years, Colwill has always carried a piece of advice from his father that has served him well.

He said, “One of the greatest things he tells me is that you never give up and no one can doubt you. So I go in everywhere I can and try to be confident in myself and think, “If you don’t like me, I don’t really care.” I’m here to work hard and improve and learn as a player.’

Colwill has done that everywhere he’s been. He rose through the ranks at Chelsea and patiently waited for his breakthrough during his first loan spell at Huddersfield and the same last season at Brighton, where he was signed by Graham Potter before De Zerbi arrived.

Colwill said, “When De Zerbi came in I wasn’t playing much. I had to adapt, keep my wits about me, and not just throw my toys out of the stroller. I have learned and learned so much as a player and as a man. It’s been a great year.’

The admiration between De Zerbi, who wanted to finalize the deal, and Colwill is clear.

He credits the Italian for the extra composure and willingness to take his time with the ball he now shows.

“(That was) The Zerbi,” he answered immediately with a smile when asked where that unique feature came from.

“We work on that all the time and it works. When it works, you look fantastic. Look how well we did in Brighton last year. It was a great way to play.

“Another way to frustrate a team when they expect you to just move and move and when I can use it at the right time.”

Colwill has returned from Brighton to Chelsea this summer with more confidence after his debut season in the Premier League. His form also earned him promotion to senior England training ahead of their most recent qualifiers for Euro 2024, a competition where he is on course. .

He said: ‘I played in the Premier League last season so I trust myself. I know I can. I played against some of the best players and played well at times.

“Sometimes I played nonsense, it happens! You live and you learn. But I came in (pre-season) and thought why can’t I put my stamp on it.

“Going to England to train was something very important to me. It shows that nothing you do goes unnoticed. Going there and being with some of the best players in the world. I have to keep pushing because anything can happen.’

Getting the chance to play alongside veteran Thiago Silva – a player whose clips he used to study and whom he described as “a joke” in a complementary sense – is proof of that.

Meanwhile, Colwill thinks it is ‘a bit ignorant’ to think that he and fellow left-footed centre-back Benoit Badiashile cannot play together in the same way as right-footed partners.

Either way, he looks set for a permanent role at the back of Chelsea this season and beyond, saying: ‘These are exciting times. We have a young group that can go on and win anything we want if we put in the effort and work hard, especially under the blunder anything is possible. He clearly has his own style. He makes us work on this great style of football.

“It’s a different season with different players. I think there’s a different feeling in the dressing room, so I think we can do whatever we want.’