Levi Colwill is going from strength to strength as he bids to make a big impression at Chelsea.
Friday night saw the young centre-half make his England under-21s debut in the 4-1 win over Andorra in qualifying for next year's European Championships. That maiden game for the Young Lions was just reward for a superb season for Colwill at Championship high-fliers Huddersfield Town.
Colwill joined the Terriers in the summer on a season-long loan arrangement (prior to signing a four-year deal with Chelsea) and has become a crucial part of their promotion push. He's featured 24 times, scoring twice, as Carlos Corberan's side push for a Premier League return following relegation in 2019.
Such is the maturity of Colwill's performances that he has been tipped to make a huge impression for both parent club and country. Corberan recently said of a player who has only just turned 19: “I think he’s going to be one of the most important centre-backs for this country in the future."
Colwill opted to take the number 26 shirt after being signed by Town - a nod to Chelsea's iconic former skipper John Terry, who famously donned the unusual number throughout his Blues' career. Leigh Bromby, head of football operations at Huddersfield, believes Colwill certainly has what it takes to become part of the furniture at Stamford Bridge - a setting where he has been since signing for the Blues' under-9s in 2011.
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Speaking to GOAL, he said: "As a person, he has fit in so well. It's his professionalism, the way he has conducted himself and approached the loan has been fantastic. Some players come in from bigger clubs and think maybe it will be easy. He has humility and openness to come in and work for his place and buy into what we are doing.
"The players and staff really like him and love working with him. He's looking to improve and working to get better. Talent-wise, for his age, he is the best I've seen when I've either been playing or coaching. The chances, for me, are so high that he will go back and play for both Chelsea and England."
That view is concurred by David Fox, Huddersfield's loan manager. "Levi is unbelievably hard-working and humble. He comes from a good upbringing both at home and at Chelsea. We wanted him in for pre-season, which gave him time to settle and adjust.
"He was able to come in, do pre-season, play the pre-season games and bed in with the lads. That was a real positive to get his feet in the door before the season started. Chelsea want him in their first team some day, and if we can get to help him while making him better along the way, then that's what it is about."
Huddersfield have previous for aiding the development of talented English youngsters, with fellow Chelsea star Trevoh Chalobah and Arsenal's Emile Smith-Rowe both cutting their teeth during loan spells in West Yorkshire.
For Colwill, and given what numerous people have said regarding his approach and attitude, he won't be resting on his laurels and just lapping up the praise. There is plenty to play for in the short-term, as he looks to aid Town's top flight push. The long-term, with the prospect of a Chelsea breakthrough and future England call-ups, can wait for now.
