Juventus star Samuel Iling-Junior has named Levi Colwill as a rising star ahead of the defender’s return to Chelsea in the summer.
The 19-year-old has impressed while out on loan at Brighton this term as he looks to earn a place in Graham Potter’s starting lineup next season.
Colwill, who sees his contract at Stamford Bridge expire in 2025, has featured 12 times for the Seagulls, helping keep three clean sheets. The England youth international’s displays have helped Roberto De Zerbi’s side push for a place in the Premier League top-six.
His performances have even been said to have caught the eye of England boss Gareth Southgate ahead of the next international break. And, according to his former Chelsea academy teammate Iling-Junior, the best of Colwill is yet to come.
Speaking to The Athletic, the Juventus winger explained why the centre-half is an exciting young prospect. Iling-Junior said: “Levi Colwill is definitely someone to watch for years to come.
“He’s just solid. He’s always had that quality left foot and that swagger about him when he’s making those passes and steps out from the back.
“We played three at the back and he was on the left of the defence. I played in front of him as the wing-back and he didn’t really like it when I’d go off and dribble because he liked to overlap.”
Colwill was not surprised to see Chelsea appoint Potter. Prior to a man of the match display for England Under-21s versus Germany, the teenage sensation spoke on the Blues’ decision to replace Thomas Tuchel with his former boss.
“You could tell straight away from stepping in on day one that he’s such a big person to be around,” he said, as quoted by Football Daily in September. “In terms of the team, everyone respects him for what he does on and off the pitch.
“You could tell his levels were the highest they could be. I understand why Chelsea have gone for him.”
Colwill, who has even been likened to John Terry in recent times, then dropped a small transfer hint. He said: “It’s life, it’s football. If a player gets an offer from a team that’s also in the Champions League and Europe, they’re going to think about it. Obviously Graham took his opportunity to take it, so I can’t really say anything about that. I just wish him well.”