COLWILL IS TO PARENT READY TO SHOW WORTH CLUB CHELSEA IN FINAL
HOT prospect Levi Colwill has a point to prove to Chelsea – by firing Huddersfield to Premier League promotion.
The England Under-21s defender, 19, has been a revelation for the Terriers this season having been sent out by the Blues to get much-needed games under his belt.
And now the ambitious Colwill is on the cusp of a memorable promotion to the top flight with the Yorkshire club.
Huddersfield face Nottingham Forest today in this year’s Championship play-off final at Wembley.
The fixture is widely regarded to be worth £180million to the winner and the magnitude of the occasion is not lost on Colwill.
“It’s the biggest game of my career so far, 100 per cent,” said Colwill. “It’s a
big game playing at Wembley and I haven’t played there before. “I have only stepped out there once with my uncles and that was about six, seven or eight years ago now. It would be good to follow in their footsteps in a way by playing there and hopefully achieving our goal.”
That was back in 2014 when an 11-year-old Colwill was a mascot when his uncle played – and triumphed – for Sholing in the FA Vase final.
“We’ve all got points to prove to all those people that doubt us,” added Colwill.
“For me playing for Chelsea will always be the main aim right now because it’s my club.
“But if that doesn’t happen, well then I have to find other ways to progress and become the player I want to be.
“I think it’s the hunger you grow up with at Chelsea. Not losing and people doubting you.
“Reece James and Mason Mount coming into the Championship, people might have thought they were both wrapped up in cotton wool because they’ve come from Chelsea and they’re not going to do well, playing in the Championship where it’s more physically demanding.
“However, when I came to Huddersfield that went in one ear and straight out of the other.
“You say to yourself, ‘I’ve got a point to prove here’ and, ‘Who are they to tell me what I can and can’t do? Give me the season and let me show people what I can do.’
“Huddersfield have done that and I’m also hoping to show that on Sunday.”
Centre-back Colwill and fellow
Neil Goulding
Terriers midfielder Jon Russell have fitted perfectly into Spanish manager Carlos Corberan’s blueprint for promotion.
And now the talented teenager is desperate to impress on the big stage with Chelsea keeping a close eye.
“I’ve lost finals in the Chelsea Academy before and the pain after, just seeing the other team celebrate, hurts so much,” said Colwill.
“It hurt in my heart – and that’s not a normal feeling, so going out there you can’t leave with any regrets. You’ve got to give it your all and that’s what we’re planning to do.
“I came in and felt so comfortable straight away and it stayed that way throughout the whole season.
“That’s probably why we’ve done so well this season.
“Last year was a tough season for everyone but I think it’s prepared everyone to be in the position we are now. They have been through the tough times and had to stick together then.”
Family is everything to Colwill and, with a ticket allocation of 50 for the final, he is understandably eager to repay those closest to him.
“My parents, Debra and Levi, have sacrificed everything for me,” he said.
“Working hard, living in places we didn’t want to and moving all the time, just for me.
“I can repay them by working hard and hopefully being the best player I can and making them proud.”