Levi Colwill
Colwill playing for England U17 in 2019
Personal information
Full name Levi Lamar Samuels Colwill[1]
Date of birth (2003-02-26) 26 February 2003 (age 21)
Place of birth Southampton, England
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.87 m)[2]
Position(s) Centre back, left-back[2][3]
Team information
Current team
 Chelsea
Number 26
Youth career
0000–2021 Chelsea
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021– Chelsea 23 (1)
2021–2022 → Huddersfield Town (loan) 29 (2)
2022–2023 → Brighton & Hove Albion (loan) 17 (0)
International career‡
2018–2019 England U16 7 (0)
2019 England U17 5 (0)
2021 England U19 3 (1)
2022– England U21 11 (0)
2023– England 1 (0)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  England
UEFA European Under-21 Championship
Winner 2023
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 16:41, 2 March 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23:00, 13 October 2023 (UTC)

Levi Lamar Samuels Colwill (born 26 February 2003) is an English professional footballer who plays as a centre back or left back for Premier League club Chelsea and the England national team.

Early and personal life

Levi Lamar Samuels Colwill was born on 26 February 2003[4] in Southampton, Hampshire.[5]

Colwill's uncles, Barry and Byron Mason, won the 2014 FA Vase final with Sholing, with Colwill walking out at Wembley Stadium as a mascot.[6] Another uncle, Daniel Mason, also plays for Sholing and works for Southampton.[7][8]

Club career

Early career

Colwill (right) with Chelsea Academy in 2018

Colwill joined Chelsea at under-nine level,[2] having previously played for Sunday League team City Central alongside Jamal Musiala.[9] He signed his first professional contract with Chelsea in February 2020 on his 17th birthday.[2]

On 25 June 2021, Colwill joined Championship club Huddersfield Town on loan for the 2021–22 season.[10] He made his debut on 1 August in a 4–2 penalty shoot-out win against Sheffield Wednesday in the 2021–22 EFL Cup[11] and his league debut six days later in a 1–1 away draw with Derby County.[12] On 21 August, he scored his first career goal in Huddersfield's 2–1 win at Sheffield United on 21 August.[13] Throughout the season he suffered from ankle, knee and hip problems, as well as COVID-19.[6] On 29 May 2022, Colwill scored an own goal as Huddersfield lost 1–0 to Nottingham Forest at Wembley in the 2022 Championship play-off final.[14]

On 5 August 2022, Colwill joined Chelsea's fellow Premier League club Brighton and Hove Albion on loan for the 2022–23 season.[15][16] He made his debut two days later against Manchester United, coming on as a stoppage time substitute for Solly March in Brighton's 2–1 win.[17] Colwill made his first Premier League start in a 2–1 home defeat against Aston Villa on 13 November.[18] He ended the season having made 13 starts in the 2022–23 Premier League as Brighton qualified for the UEFA Europa League for the first time in the club's history.[19] On 1 June 2023, it was reported that Chelsea had rejected a £30 million bid from Brighton for Colwill.[20] Colwill complimented Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi, and said his own game had room to improve.[21]

2023–present: Return to Chelsea

On 2 August 2023, Colwill signed a new six-year contract with Chelsea, with an option for a further year.[22][23] He made his official debut for Chelsea on 13 August, playing the full match as Chelsea drew at home to Liverpool in their opening match of the 2023–24 season.[24] On 3 December, Colwill scored his first goal for Chelsea in a 3–2 victory over Brighton in the 2023–24 Premier League.[25] Three days later, he captained Chelsea for the first time in a 2–1 away loss to Manchester United.[26] During the first half of the season, he featured frequently as a left back.[27]

International career

Youth career

With England U17, Colwill won he won the Syrenka Cup in 2019.[28]

On 10 November 2021, Colwill made his debut for – and captained – the England U19s in a 4–0 victory over Andorra in a 2022 UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualification match.[29] He scored his first goal for the U19s six days later during a 2–0 win against Sweden.[30]

On 27 August 2021, Colwill received his first call up for the England U21s.[31] On 25 March 2022, Colwill made his England U21 debut in a 4–1 win over Andorra at Bournemouth.[32] On 14 June 2023, Colwill was included in the England squad for the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.[33] Starting five of his country's six games, Colwill helped England to win the tournament without conceding a single goal.[34][35] Colwill lauded the team's 'family' spirit.[36]

Senior career

In June 2023, Colwill linked up with the England senior squad for the first time as part of the travelling party to a UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying fixture away to Malta.[37][38]

On 31 August 2023, Colwill was called up to the senior England squad for the first time, for their fixtures against Ukraine and Scotland.[39] He made his senior debut during a friendly against Australia on 13 October.[40] After being called up again in November 2023, he withdrew from the squad due to injury.[41][42][43][44]

Style of play

Colwill plays mostly at centre back, he can also slot in on the left as a full back or wing back, and enjoys stepping forward as a ball-playing defender.[2] He has been compared to John Terry due to his shirt number, status as an academy graduate of Chelsea, and position.[6]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 2 March 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup EFL Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Chelsea U21 2019–20[45] — — — 2[a] 0 2 0
2020–21[46] — — — 3[a] 0 3 0
Total — — — 5 0 5 0
Chelsea 2021–22[47] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
2022–23[48] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
2023–24[49] Premier League 23 1 2 0 7 0 — 32 1
Total 23 1 2 0 7 0 0 0 32 1
Huddersfield Town (loan) 2021–22[47] Championship 29 2 0 0 1 0 2[b] 0 32 2
Brighton & Hove Albion (loan) 2022–23[48] Premier League 17 0 2 0 3 0 — 22 0
Career total 69 3 4 0 11 0 7 0 91 3
  1. ^ a b Appearances in EFL Trophy
  2. ^ Appearances in Championship play-offs

International

As of match played 13 October 2023[50]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
England 2023 1 0
Total 1 0

Honours

Chelsea

England U21

Individual

References

  1. ^ "2023/24 Premier League squad lists". Premier League. 13 September 2023. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Levi Colwill". Chelsea F.C. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  3. ^ "The real reason why Mauricio Pochettino keeps playing Levi Colwill at left-back for Chelsea". The Chelsea Chronicle. 12 December 2023. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  4. ^ "Levi Colwill: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  5. ^ "Levi Colwill: Profile". worldfootball.net. HEIM:SPIEL. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  6. ^ a b c Johnson, Simon. "Levi Colwill: 'It's not a bad thing to be called the new John Terry'". The Athletic.
  7. ^ "Levi Colwill shares surprising Wembley experience as Huddersfield Town gear up for FA Cup clash". YorkshireLive. Reach. 22 January 2022. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
  8. ^ "Black History Month: Staff Stories – Dan Mason". Southampton F.C. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  9. ^ "Levi Colwill: Chelsea's teenage loan star out to emulate best friend Musiala". Goal.
  10. ^ "Levi Colwill: Huddersfield Town sign young Chelsea centre-back on season-long loan". BBC Sport. 25 June 2021. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  11. ^ "Sheffield Wednesday 0–0 Huddersfield Town". BBC Sport. 1 August 2021. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  12. ^ "Derby 1-1 Huddersfield Town: Terriers earn point at Derby despite Covid outbreak". BBC Sport. 7 August 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  13. ^ "Sheffield United 1–2 Huddersfield". BBC Sport. 21 August 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  14. ^ "Huddersfield Town 0–1 Nottingham Forest". BBC Sport.
  15. ^ "Chelsea defender Levi Colwill joins Albion on loan". Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. 5 August 2022. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  16. ^ "Chelsea sign Brighton defender Cucurella for £60m". BBC Sport.
  17. ^ Stone, Simon (7 August 2022). "Manchester United 1–2 Brighton: Erik ten Hag suffers defeat in first Premier League game". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  18. ^ "Mac Allister scores after 49 seconds then Villa hit back". Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. 13 November 2022. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  19. ^ "Levi Colwill: Chelsea defender on England, Roberto de Zerbi and recent praise". BBC Sport. 30 June 2023. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  20. ^ Steinberg, Jacob; Hunter, Andy (1 June 2023). "Chelsea reject £30m Brighton bid for Levi Colwill and have no plans to sell". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  21. ^ "I've got to keep playing, and playing well – Colwill". BBC Sport.
  22. ^ "Levi Colwill signs new Chelsea contract". Chelsea F.C. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  23. ^ "Colwill signs new long-term Chelsea deal". BBC Sport.
  24. ^ "Colwill on debut pride, points to prove and amazing Pochettino". Chelsea F.C. 15 August 2023.
  25. ^ Drury, Sam. "Ten-man Chelsea hold on to beat Brighton". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  26. ^ "Manchester United 2 Chelsea 1: Is Scott McTominay a striker?". The Athletic. 7 December 2023.
  27. ^ Toner, Dom (12 December 2023). "The real reason why Mauricio Pochettino keeps playing Levi Colwill at left-back for Chelsea". The Chelsea Chronicle. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  28. ^ "Young Lions lift the Syrenka Cup with a penalty shootout win over hosts Poland". The Football Association. 10 September 2019. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  29. ^ "England MU19s 4–0 Andorra". 10 November 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  30. ^ "England MU19s top qualifying group". 16 November 2021. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  31. ^ "Carsley names first MU21s squad". 27 August 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  32. ^ "England U21 4–1 Andorra U21". BBC Sport. 25 March 2022. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  33. ^ "England MU21s squad named for EURO Finals". EnglandFootball.com. 14 June 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  34. ^ "Levi Colwill: Why Chelsea defender has potential to be special after starring for Brighton and England U21s". Sky Sports. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
  35. ^ "England crowned Under-21 European champions with win against Spain". Reuters. 8 July 2023. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
  36. ^ "England 'family' key to U21 victory – Colwill". BBC Sport.
  37. ^ "Colwill makes Malta journey with senior England squad". Chelsea F.C. 15 June 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  38. ^ "Chelsea's Colwill trains with senior England side". BBC Sport.
  39. ^ "Debut call-up as three Blues in England squad". Chelsea F.C. 31 August 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  40. ^ McNulty, Phil (13 October 2023). "England 1–0 Australia: Ollie Watkins scores only goal in international friendly at Wembley". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  41. ^ "Chelsea: Levi Colwill withdraws from England squad". BBC Sport. 14 November 2023.
  42. ^ "Bellingham and Colwill latest England withdrawals" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  43. ^ Kinsella, George Flood, Nizaar (13 November 2023). "Chelsea defender Colwill set for England assessment after injury blow". Evening Standard.((cite web)): CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  44. ^ Kilpatrick, Dan (14 November 2023). "Colwill and Bellingham withdraw from England squad after injury assessment". Evening Standard.
  45. ^ "Games played by Levi Colwill in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  46. ^ "Games played by Levi Colwill in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  47. ^ a b "Games played by Levi Colwill in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  48. ^ a b "Games played by Levi Colwill in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  49. ^ "Games played by Levi Colwill in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  50. ^ "Levi Colwill: Internationals". worldfootball.net. HEIM:SPIEL. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  51. ^ McNulty, Phil (25 February 2024). "Carabao Cup final: Chelsea 0–1 Liverpool (aet)". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
  52. ^ Howell, Alex (8 July 2023). "England U21 1–0 Spain U21". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  53. ^ "2023 Under-21 EURO Team of the Tournament". UEFA. 11 July 2023. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  54. ^ "IFFHS MEN'S YOUTH (U20) WORLD TEAM 2023". IFFHS. 5 January 2024. Retrieved 5 January 2024.

External links

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