Levi Colwill has hinted he could repay Brighton’s faith and stay with the Seagulls beyond the end of the season.
The 20-year-old defender, on loan from Chelsea, has had an strong campaign at Brighton, continuing on Wednesday night with an impressive display in a 1-1 draw with Manchester City as Roberto De Zerbi’s side sealed their place in the Europa League next season.
Only Moises Caicedo completed more passes for Brighton in that match than Colwill, who also provided a second assist in as many games, even if it would be generous to give him too much credit for Julio Enciso’s stunning strike.
With just one match left this season, the focus is shifting to Colwill’s future and whether he will return to Stamford Bridge this summer. Incoming boss Mauricio Pochettino’s input will be crucial, while an injury to Benoit Badiashile could give Colwill more of a chance to impress in pre-season.
De Zerbi has made it clear he wants to keep the centre-back at the Amex Stadium for “two, three, four years”, though admitted it is not a decision that is in his or Brighton’s hands.
Chelsea, unlike the Seagulls, do not have European football to offer Colwill, and his latest comments will worry those keen to keep him in west London heading into the final two years of his contract at Stamford Bridge.
“Brighton have done a lot for me,” Colwill told The Athletic. “They put their trust in me when others didn’t and I’m a person that loves to repay that. We’ll see.
“I don’t know what is going to happen. I’m still here until the end of the season. I just focus on that, then I’ve got the [Under-21] Euros in the summer. After that, we’ll see what happens and go from there.”
He added: “I love the Brighton fans, I love everything about them. I’ll take that into consideration.”
