Chelsea defender Levi Colwill reveals Thomas Tuchel talks ahead of England squad announcement | OneFootball

Colwill worked with Tuchel when he was at Chelsea and is in line for a call-up

Colwill has earned four caps for England since making his debut in October 2023

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Levi Colwill says he “caught up on old times” with Thomas Tuchel on the phone, and is hoping the new England manager names him in his first squad on Friday.

Tuchel is preparing to name his first squad since being named England manager, with the Three Lions facing Albania and Latvia in World Cup qualifiers this month.

Colwill was involved in Chelsea’s pre-season campaign in the summer of 2021, midway through Tuchel’s tenure as the Blues’ head coach, and the centre-back explained on Wednesday that he has fond memories of working with the German.

He is expected to start in Thursday’s second leg at Stamford Bridge.

Colwill has earned four caps for England at senior level since making his debut against Australia in October 2023.

“Of course, I’d have known him [Tuchel] from when he was here,” Colwill said. “I trained a few times with him and went on pre-season with him. I know he’s a top manager, a top guy.

“I’ve had a chat with him. We just caught up on old times, from when I was here. I already knew him well enough anyway.

“Hopefully I can get called up for this camp coming up. To play for England is a dream come true for anyone. To keep playing for them feels as good as the first time. Hopefully I can get called up on Friday and we go from there.”

Asked what Tuchel is like to work with, Colwill replied: “From what I saw from when I was here, I think he’s a really demanding manager. I think all the top ones are. They push their team and want to get the best out of them.

“When he won the Champions League, I think you saw it: the high energy.”

Meanwhile, Enzo Maresca insists Chelsea will not be letting Sunday’s looming Premier League clash with Arsenal distract them from their second leg against Copenhagen.

Both Filip Jorgensen and Robert Sanchez, who started the first leg, have made high-profile errors in goal for Chelsea this term, and Maresca said he is yet to decide which shot-stopper to use against Copenhagen.”

“We'll see, to be honest,” he said. “I didn't decide yet and we still have more than 24 hours. They are both very good.”