Levi Colwill is England Under-21s rock as they chase a first Euros final since 2009 - but still doesn’t know where he’ll be playing next season.
The Chelsea defender’s stock has risen as he’s anchored Lee Carsley’s team to four clean sheets on the way to today’s semi-final against Israel, their first since 2017.
Colwill looks like a Rolls Royce of a defender amid Europe’s best Under-21s, after developing on loan at Brighton last season.
Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has a big decision to make during pre-season as he sets up Chelsea’s defence after the departure of Kalidou Koulibaly.
Colwill wants regular first team football like he got under Roberto De Zerbi with the Seagulls, and Brighton are prepared to pay £40m for the left sided centre back.
Colwill is also being monitored by Liverpool, but admits he will wait until the tournament is over to decide his next steps.
He trained and travelled with Gareth Southgate’s seniors for the Malta game in June, and could be the next Under-21 to get a regular call.
He said of his senior experience: “It felt like a reward for all the hard work, not this season but my whole career so far.
“It just makes me want to keep going, keep pushing, keep playing well and hopefully I will be back here. As a kid, this is what you dream of. This is the highest level - world class players, the best players. It’s like a dream come true.”
Colwill made 17 Premier League appearances last term as Brighton qualified for Europe. Fellow academy centre backs Fikayo Tomori and Marc Guehi left to further their careers.
De Zerbi said of Colwill: “I would like to work with him for another two, three, four years, because it’s difficult to find another left centre-back with his quality.
“He’s improving a lot this year. I hope he can stay with us.”
Colwill has two years left on his current contract, and a new deal is there, remains unsigned.
Pochettino has to work out where 22-year-old french centre back Benoit Badiashile, signed for £33m in January, fits in.
That can wait with Colwill and his team mates targeting a Euro final on Sunday against Spain or Ukraine.
A repeat of their 2-0 group stage win over Israel and reaching seven and a half hours without conceding is the target.
Colwill says: “I’m not someone to predict the future. I take it day by day, but it’s been an amazing journey.
“Who knows, we’ll see what happens in the summer.”
Max Aarons and Ben Johnson are both ruled out through suspension having collected two cautions and Luke Thomas could be called up.
