Thomas Tuchel should look to take a leaf out of Frank Lampard's book when deciding the future of Levi Colwill. With Chelsea set to undergo an exodus of defenders this summer, with Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen departing once their contracts expire, it's expected that the 19-year-old will be integrated into the first-team upon his return from loan at Huddersfield town, according to Goal.
The Cobham graduate has featured 31 times for the Terries, steering Carlos Corberan's side towards promotion into the Premier League. Colwill's imperious performances this season booked the Yorkshire-based side a place at in the play-off final against Nottingham Forest, but fell at the last hurdle.
An unfortunate first-half mistake from the on-loan Chelsea defender handed Steve Cooper's side the first and only goal of the tie. But, despite Colwill's misfortune, Goal add that the west Londoners are said to be 'so impressed' with the his development and will play a major role in shaping Tuchel's summer transfer plans.
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Speaking to Goal to reflect on the fixture, Colwill showed a steely mentality: "There wasn’t much I could do about the goal. I just wanted to block it but he kicked my knee up and it hit it. I didn't know what to say but I thought [expletive] it.
"I’ve got to play on and help the team. That’s what I tried to do. It was just unfortunate. It is football, bad luck, I won’t let it stop me or get my head down."
Colwill should draw inspiration from Mason Mount, who too suffered Championship play-final misery before breaking through at Stamford Bridge. Frank Lampard eased the midfield in the Blues starting-eleven and, quickly enough, Derby County's Wembley misery was a lost memory.
There is an expectation that Chelsea will sign two centre-backs this summer to replace Rudiger and Christensen. Todd Boehly's consortium are eager to bolster the Blues' armoury and The Telegraph indicate that, after player sales are taken into account, Tuchel is set to have £200million at his disposal to strengthen his side
Colwill, who sees his contract at Stamford Bridge expire in 2025, will have a chance to cement a role in Tuchel's first-team in pre-season, though. He's predominantly operated on the left of a back-three at The John Smith's Stadium, enjoying much of his success threading passes through into his midfielders, winning aerial duels and defending with wisdom beyond his years.
With a big summer on the cards, Colwill has insisted that he's ready for a challenge in the Premier League. He said to The Athletic: "I think I'm ready. I've learnt a lot this year, so the next step I hope will be in the Premier League with Chelsea, Huddersfield or whoever."
Having worn the No.26 while on loan at Huddersfield this season, the Chelsea youngster has been compared to club legend and former captain John Terry. Colwill said: "I'll take it. I'm not going to complain. It's not a bad thing to be called the new John Terry.
"I haven't made the comparison myself, so the fans and media can make whatever comparisons they want to make, it isn't going to affect me. John Terry is a club legend and leader, someone every centre-back at Chelsea should look up to.
"A great guy and player. I've not had the chance to speak to him too much. When he was around the academy building, we'd have the odd little chat, but it'd be more of a, 'Hi, how are you?' kind of thing, not on a personal level about football or things like that."
