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Levi Colwill\u2019s amazing year shows few signs of slowing as the defender looks to make his England debut and prove his worth to Gareth Southgate with Euro 2024 on the horizon.<\/p>\n
An impressive season-long loan with Brighton was followed by helping England Under-21s become European champions over the summer.<\/p>\n
Colwill returned to Chelsea and was rewarded with an improved six-year deal, before going onto make his debut in their season opener.<\/p>\n
The 20-year-old has been an ever-present under new Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino and his eye-catching displays earned a first formal England call-up.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has been an amazing year,\u201d Colwill said.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThere have been a lot of ups and still been downs, and a load of stuff that I have had to overcome. But it\u2019s all part of my career and you\u2019re going to get that.<\/p>\n
\u201cA hundred per cent it\u2019s all worth it in the end. You\u2019ve got to keep working hard, that\u2019s what I have done so far but now it\u2019s about keep going.\u201d<\/p>\n
Colwill cited the initial lack of game time under Graham Potter and Brighton successor Roberto De Zerbi as examples of down moments he overcame.<\/p>\n
But the success that followed on the south coast saw him brought in to train with the England senior squad in June, even travelling with them for the qualifier in Malta, before heading off on Under-21s duty.<\/p>\n
\u201cComing and training in June was a big blessing,\u201d Colwill said. \u201cI enjoyed it so much and then obviously getting formally called up now is amazing.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I got the text I called dad straight away. I think he was getting emotional, to be honest. Dream come true.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone was so welcoming and it made a big difference for me.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow I have settled in a bit, I am ready to kick on and hopefully prepare for the upcoming week.\u201d<\/p>\n
Colwill is hoping to make his debut against Ukraine in Saturday\u2019s Euro 2024 qualifier in Poland, or in the Hampden Park friendly against Scotland three days later.<\/p>\n
The 20-year-old allayed fitness concerns ahead of that double-header after sitting out training on Tuesday, pointing to a tough previous week and the fact he is \u201ca young boy still growing\u201d.<\/p>\n
Asked if making it into next summer\u2019s Euros squad is a target, he said: \u201cOf course. Playing for Chelsea \u2013 one of the biggest clubs in the world \u2013 it\u2019s got to be my aim to hopefully be in the England team come the Euros.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously it\u2019s still a long time until that comes so I\u2019ve just got to keep working hard, pushing myself and let\u2019s see what happens next.\u201d<\/p>\n
England have yet to mathematically seal qualification for Euro 2024, but it has long looked a case of when rather than if their place in Germany is wrapped up.<\/p>\n
The uncapped Colwill already appears to have a strong chance of being involved \u2013 an opportunity that will only be bolstered by Chelsea boss Pochettino.<\/p>\n
Adam Lallana, who the defender calls a key influence in his career, made his England debut at Southampton under the Argentinian, who his former Brighton team-mates had praised to the hilt.<\/p>\n
Colwill took that on board when committing his future to Chelsea, where he is excited to develop under a manager with a fine track record of maximising English talent.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the big thing for me was the first day I came in, him just putting an arm around me and showing me that he respects me as a person and also a player,\u201d he said of Pochettino.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat allows me to work my hardest and want to play my best for him.<\/p>\n
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\u201cJust working under him in general, I know I\u2019m going to improve. I can guarantee that because he\u2019s such a good manager and he will push me. He won\u2019t let me have any off days and that\u2019s what I need.<\/p>\n
\u201cSomeone like me, if someone lets me go to sleep I might just have a good day or a bad day. But I need someone there to give me that kick up my bum and say \u2018keep going\u2019 and that\u2019s what he does.\u201d<\/p>\n