Chelsea youngster Levi Colwill has identified the Blues legend Ashley Cole as the reason for his scitinlating performance at the just-concluded U21 European Championship.

The Young Lions of England won the trophy by defeating Spain 1-0 in the final.

Colwill, a defender with only a handful of top-flight games for Brighton in his legs, already looks ready for Gareth Southgate, who was basically in Georgia specifically to monitor his progress.

Brighton are desperate to sign him this summer but Chelsea want to keep hold of someone who oozes modern-day centre back.

The defender heaped praise on the Cole for improving his game during the tourney that handed England their first U21 European Championship title since 1984.

Colwill said: “Me and Ash have had conversations about anything that will help me.

“Ash gave me a big bit of advice for when I try to break lines and hit a pass with a lot of power. Normally my right foot goes in front of the ball. He showed me, I hadn’t even noticed.

“At training the next day, I made a pass with my right foot behind the ball. I couldn’t thank him enough. It’s those little things that no one had ever told me.

“With Cars, he’s so humble, he downplays everything. I’m honoured to play under him.”