Chelsea defender Levi Colwill has described Thomas Tuchel as a "top manager" as the former Blues boss prepares to name his first England squad.
Tuchel names his first squad on Friday for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers with defender Colwill, who earned three caps during the Nations League campaign in the autumn, hopeful of being included. The 22-year-old was a recent academy graduate during the German’s time at Stamford Bridge and spent much of that period out on loan.
While not playing a first-team game, he was a member of the pre-season tour squad ahead of the 2022-23 campaign and spent time working with the new England manager, who led Chelsea to Champions League glory in 2021. “I knew him from when he was here,” said Colwill. “I trained a few times with him and went on pre-season so I know he’s a top manager, a top guy.
“I’ve had a chat with him and caught up on old times from when he was here. From what I’ve seen when he was here he’s a really demanding manager. I think all the top ones are. They push their teams and they want to get the best out of them.
“When he won the Champions League here, the high energy – I think he’s a great character to be around.”
Tuchel’s first game in charge is against Albania at Wembley on March 21 ahead of a home game against Latvia three days later. Colwill was not in the last England squad selected by interim boss Lee Carsley in November but has establish himself as a key member of Chelsea’s defence this season.
“Of course hopefully I can get called up for this camp coming up, to play for England is dream come true for anyone,” he said. “To keep playing for them feels as good as the first time.”