Ex-Chelsea and Leeds striker's impressed by Brighton defender - as well as Manchester United and and Manchester City players
The former Chelsea and Leeds striker recently gave an interview to Parimatch and named the young defender as one of the players he enjoyed watching the most in the Premier League this season.
Hasselbaink said: “I really like James Maddison because he's just so creative and I think he could be in line for a big transfer soon. I also really like Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford who has really surprised me, he's come back so strong. I've also enjoyed watching Levi Colwill on loan at Brighton, he's really impressed me. I think he's going to develop into a really big player.”
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Hide AdThe 51-year-old also said Erling Haaland was an “exceptional finisher” and believed Thiago Silva and Ilkay Gundogan were two hugely underrated players in the top flight.
Colwill is currently on a season-long loan to Albion from Hasselbaink’s former club Chelsea. Despite picking up a quadricep injury which kept him out of the side for six weeks, the 19-year-old has become a key player for Roberto De Zerbi’s side, making 13 appearances for the Seagulls in all competitions.
This included a run of eight starts in the team between November 9 and January 14, featuring stand-out performances in Brighton’s 3-0 win over Liverpool and 3-1 victory against Arsenal in the EFL Cup.
De Zerbi said on Colwill: “I am very happy with Levi’s progress. I hope he can stay with us in the future because he has the potential to become a great player and he is very important for us.”
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Hide AdThe young defender also played 90 minutes last week for the England under-21s in an impressive 4-0 victory against France in a friendly at the King Power Stadium.
Gareth Southgate is said to be keeping a close eye on Colwill’s development, with a call-up to the senior national team expected to happen sooner rather then later.