Chelsea’s Levi Colwill has been given a glowing assessment of his development by former Brighton team-mate Lewis Dunk.
Colwill made his England senior debut as Gareth Southgate handed him a start at left-back in Friday’s 1-0 win over Australia at Wembley.
He played alongside Dunk, who is captain of Brighton and was a team-mate of Colwill’s when the 20-year-old spent last season on loan on the South Coast.
Speaking about Colwill’s emergence as one of England’s best young defenders, Dunk said: “He’s a top person, and I’ve seen him grow up last year. I tried to help him as much as I can, and he’s grown massively.
“Coming to the [England] camps now, he’s like a different person. He’s taken on the responsibility at Chelsea, and he’s put on a great performance. I’m sure that won’t be his last England appearance. Left-back, centre-back: he’s got it covered. He’s very versatile.”
Dunk made his third appearance for England on Friday, having waited five years between his debut and his second — which came against Scotland last month.
England now turn their attention to their meeting with Italy back at Wembley on Tuesday, when the Three Lions could qualify for Euro 2024 with victory.
“Tuesday is massive,” Dunk insisted. “We want to qualify as quickly as we can for it, and hopefully Tuesday is the time for that.”
