Levi Colwill says Huddersfield will upset the odds at Wembley

Having spent his career in the comfortable surroundings of Chelsea, Huddersfield’s on-loan defender Levi Colwill is relishing the role of underdog in today’s Championship play-off final against Nottingham Forest.

Like Tammy Abraham, Reece James and Mason Mount before him, Colwill is proof that Chelsea’s academy kids can thrive in the tougher environment of the EFL.

The 19-year-old defender, who has earned comparisons with John Terry and Rio Ferdinand, has been key to the Terriers’ unexpected promotion charge, having finished 20th last season.

Even now, not many fancy them to beat in-form Forest at Wembley in a match worth £180million to the winners. But Colwill is looking forward to proving people wrong again. ‘We were predicted to get relegated at the start of the season. Now look at us,’ he says.

‘Even my friends were sending me tweets showing me different articles and trying to wind me up. People who think Forest are favourites for the final can think whatever they like. We will show what we’ve got.

‘Everyone seems to believe Chelsea players are wrapped in cotton wool. Reece and Mason had it. I heard the same but it came in one ear and out the other. Who is anybody to tell me what I can and can’t do? We do grow up with hunger at Chelsea because you’ve got to reach such high standards.’

Colwill has been dubbed the new JT at Stamford Bridge and even wears the No26 for Huddersfield. Style-wise, he is like a left-footed Ferdinand.

Several clubs wanted him on loan last summer but he opted for Huddersfield after being wowed on Zoom by manager Carlos Corberan, Marcelo Bielsa’s former No2 at Leeds. ‘Chelsea guided me and I discussed it with Neil Bath [head of development] but ultimately they left the choice to me. I’m the