Levi Colwill backs Lee Carsley 'arrogance' to help deliver success for England

Chelsea defender Levi Colwill says England interim head coach Lee Carsley has an "arrogance" about the quality of his squad which is rubbing off positively on the players.

Carsley is expected to remain in charge of England throughout the autumn but he will boost his chances of permanently being named Gareth Southghate's successor with two more wins in this week's Nations League games against Greece and Finland.

Colwill says the former Everton midfielder, 50, who led the team to victories over the Republic of Ireland and the Fins in the same competition last month, has the backing of the squad.

"I think the lads really like him," Colwill said at St. George's Park, England's Midlands base, on Tuesday.

"I do and I can only really talk about myself. I trust him and we’ll see what happens in the future.

"He’s a very calm person. I think he brings that to the team. An amazing person and a strong-minded manager. He knows how he wants to play and how it matches the players we’ve got.

"He has a bit of arrogance about the team and himself, in terms of ‘we’ve got the best players in the world’ and we all believe that we can take it that next step to winning a huge competition.

"I think, with us, we are a big nation, a huge nation and for example at club, as well, we’re a big team with amazing players so to have that mindset, I think all the players already know that and they are already tuned into that and they want to be the best possible.

"So I think when everyone’s on the same wavelength, it works perfectly."

Colwill was part of Carsley's Under-21 European Championship winning squad in summer 2023 and says the manager's relaxed persona did not change, even after England's impressive victory over Spain in the final.

"Of course we had an amazing tournament but even when we were picking up the trophy he was still calm," Colwill said. "I was still in a bit of shock. My emotions were all over the place but he kept it to himself. He didn’t really show much difference.

"There was no party after. We all got together with our families, it was really nice. He was chilled as always.

"[He's] the same man [now, with the senior team]. He’s an amazing person, an amazing manager and I’ve got no bad word to say about him because he’s won me an Under-21 Euro Championship, he’s picked me for two camps so he’s an amazing person, an amazing manager."

Colwill has already played for a number of charismatic coaches at club level in former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi, former Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino and the Argentine's successor, Enzo Maresca.

"They like to think more about ourselves, how we are going to play," the defender said.

"I think the managers I have played for all know they have amazing players and they trust their players and they want to be attacking managers.

"I think Cars is exactly the same, focusing on how we are going to play and how we are going to hurt teams is the most important thing in football. When you’ve got amazing players, you can believe you are going to have most of the possession and you’re going to create most of the chances. I think he does that amazingly."

Colwill revealed he has moved from Cobham, where Chelsea's training ground is based, back to Southampton and says he is delighted to have returned to his hometown, which is reflected in his performances this term.

"I’m around all the people I grew up with," he said. "Being connected with them again is what life is about for me.

"Growing up as a player at City Central in Southampton, with my mates, was the best time of my life. I’m really happy I’ve gone back, seeing my friends and family so much more. That’s probably reflected on the pitch.

"My family are from Southampton and still live near there, so I’ve moved back into my family home and do the travel in every day. It’s alright!

"Everyone thinks it is worse than it actually is, but it is alright. No matter how long a day I’ve had, when I get back and see my dog and my mum, dad and little brother, it just means the world to me.

"Being in the bubble when you’re at your club is great but when you come home it’s more of a peaceful, normal life. I’m with people who have normal jobs, who work 8-5 every day. To be around them shows you their side of life and makes you appreciate yours so much more.

"All my mates do different things. They do different trades which helps me a lot. It helps my house a lot! My family do everything so appreciate a lot of what they do."

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