Chelsea have a gem on their hands and they know it. Levi Colwill is one of the most exciting young defenders in world football, and he's left-footed.
It's a valuable commodity in the modern game with passing range, athleticism and line-breaking ability all of heightened importance. In a three-man defence there is a slot perfect for Colwill, especially considering the left centre-back role has been long occupied by right-footed players in recent years at Stamford Bridge.
Before Benoit Badiashile was signed in January it had been a position for Antonio Rudiger and his no-nonsense style before Kalidou Koulibaly arrived with the promise of being a game-changing addition. His move ultimately failed, though Badiashile has become an immediate fan favourite for his early performances.
Now, with widescale changes across the pitch including the backline and the exits of Koulibaly and club captain Cesar Azpilicueta, there is a spot for Colwill in a youthful-looking side. Having earned his stripes on loan at Brighton, elevating his position even more from the promising player he was seen as, Mauricio Pochettino will now be able to take a look at him in pre-season.
Badiashile is injured, though recovering well, and the 20-year-old England Under-21 star has a chance to cement his spot in the side whether it be for a back-three of back-four. Premier League interest exists in Colwill as is natural for a player yet to commit himself to Chelsea on a fresh long-term deal and without a senior appearance, but that is all ready to change.
Once the player comes back from Georgia, returning to Cobham as an Under-21 European Championships winner without conceding a goal in six games, there will be a chance for him to talk for the first time with Pochettino ahead of pre-season.
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All indications show that Chelsea will give him a serious run during their tour of America. It is not just a play to ward off interested clubs from across the world either. Liverpool are ready to make a move if the situation changes, football.london understands, but they would not be alone in tracking the movements of Colwill.
His two-year deal offers some solidity to wait until the new season is underway before engaging in serious conversations over a fresh contract, there is also the option to extend by an extra year should he play enough games. In this case the ball is effectively in Chelsea's half of the court.
They have made their early stance clear, rejecting bids worth £30million ($38.5million) and £40million ($51.3million) from Brighton in the opening month of the window. They continue to push the message that he is unsellable and that anything will be rejected out of hand.
Considering the regard in which he is held, it's no surprise. Chelsea are not set to be bullied into selling Colwill, especially not for a price that is hardly above his estimated value. According to Transfermarkt, Colwill's current market value is £25.6million ($32.8million). When considering how valuable he is to Chelsea, though, that grows.
Colwill is English, Premier League proven and homegrown as well as being a fantastic player with all the desirable attributes for a young talent. CIES Football Observatory currently values him at just £12.8million ($16.4million) but that is still inside the top five for centre-backs born in 2003 or later on their database. Attackers are more highly valued by their metric and for defenders, Colwill is amongst the best.
Chelsea will now be looking at the way Arsenal handled William Saliba as the perfect example. Before he made his debut at the Emirates Stadium in August 2022 he was value at £34million ($43.6million) as a 21-year-old. Having now played his first full season in England he is now valued at £68million ($87.3million) instead and is joint second on the most valued centre-backs born after 2000.
One year the senior to Colwill and with a contract expiring next summer before his extension was announced earlier this week, Arsenal never panicked when dealing with their star. Chelsea will now be aiming to do exactly the same and with an extra season of leeway.
Compared to when Colwill was a teenager and in his first senior season of men's football at Huddersfield in 2021, he was valued at less than £2million ($2.5million). That rose to £8.5million ($10.9million) in just one Championship season and now stands above Brighton's latest offer.
Chelsea have already seen evidence of how good Colwill is, they think they have one of the future best players in his position worldwide and now have reason to be hopeful of intergrating him into the first team set-up quickly before tying him down at Stamford Bridge.
Their next point of action may well be to follow Arsenal's example and to try and see their own player flourish in Chelsea blue, watching the price rise and suitors stare with jealousy.
