Wales head coach Craig Bellamy says Rubin Colwill still has “a long way to go” despite recalling the attacking midfielder following his sparkling form for Cardiff City.
Colwill, 22, has impressed during Cardiff’s recent revival in the Championship, earning a return to the Wales squad for this month’s Nations League matches against Turkey and Iceland.
Bellamy wants the Bluebirds academy product to keep improving his work without the ball and believes his future could be in a deeper role.
“There’s still a long way to go with Rubin. I know Rubin really well and I speak to him quite a lot,” said the former Wales captain.
“We’re both clear in what we see for him, what he expects from his career, where he is right now. We both agree there’s more [to come]. But I definitely agree in the last number of games his intensity has moved up.
“I don’t just see an attacking player, I see an overall footballer that could be used in different roles as well.”
Bellamy coached Colwill at Cardiff’s academy and, having left the nine-cap playmaker out of his first two Wales squads, the former Liverpool and Manchester City forward has rewarded the Bluebirds player’s recent form with a recall.
Colwill’s performances, usually as a number 10 or in a free role in attack, have helped Cardiff recover from their worst start to a season to a position of mid-table stability after winning four and drawing two of their past six matches in the Championship.
Having been initially omitted from Bellamy’s first Wales squad in September, Colwill was promoted from the under-21s as a late call-up before dropping back down to Matty Jones’ squad for last month’s Euro 2025 qualifiers.
“I probably have a bit more of an indication with Rubin because of the years I’ve seen him. Since he was 12, I’ve seen his development, I’ve been a part of his development,” said Bellamy.
“He’s a player I would have expected more [from] but we all develop at different stages, different moments. My development really came probably when I was 22, so he’s a similar age, that area where he can push on.
“A lot of the habits I haven’t quite seen I feel he’s trying to bring to his game. If he keeps on that track… I see different areas for Rubin as well.
“His engine, his volume of running is more than his high intensity, which is a different part of the game. So with Rubin, I don’t just see him in the front lines, I see him being able to play deeper as well. He’s going to need a bit of help with that.”