News of Wesley Fofana sustaining a serious ACL injury today will have only strengthened Chelsea’s stance about securing the long-term future of a highly-rated youngster itching for more first-team football next season and beyond, after impressing at the heart of England’s U21 Euros-winning side this month.
Chelsea’s Colwill conundrum as Brighton, Liverpool lurk
- Fofana ruptured his ACL and will now undergo surgery, £70m defender now likely sidelined for the rest of 2023 and most of 2023-24 campaign
- “It’s really sad, really bad news – we all feel so sad, all we can do is help him. We know it’s a tough injury but hope he can be as soon as possible with the team,” New head coach Pochettino was quoted as saying per the BBC
- Former Tottenham, PSG manager confirms positive Colwill discussions before USA pre-season tour: “It is important they need to know us, what we think, to see that the competition will be tough but to challenge and know they can be in the starting XI – because football is about competing.”
Southampton-born Chelsea youngster Levi Colwill got a taste of England’s top-tier after making 17 Premier League appearances – 13 starts – for Brighton under Graham Potter and his successor Roberto de Zerbi last season.
Unsurprisingly, having led the way alongside Manchester City’s Taylor Harwood-Bellis in the Young Lions‘ backline, he wants a senior step-up to Gareth Southgate’s England team proper after tasting European success at youth level this summer.
The only way to increase his chances exponentially is by playing regularly at the highest level, a guarantee Chelsea can’t exactly afford to give a youngster under new management with Mauricio Pochettino the new man at the helm.
Kalidou Koulibaly (Al-Hilal) and club captain Cesar Azpilicueta (Atletico) have both departed for pastures new over the last month, while Ethan Ampadu’s £7m move to Leeds was made official this week as their bloated squad continues to trim down.
As far as defensive reinforcements, the Blues have much less depth and quality in that area – which directly impacts Colwill’s pathway to regular first-team minutes.
Fofana’s injury means there are currently five fit first-team central defenders, two of which could still depart this summer.
Former Nice wonderkid Malang Sarr has returned from a stagnant Monaco loan spell but didn’t travel Stateside, while his agemate Trevoh Chalobah has Inter links but made clear last month his desire to stay and compete under Pochettino’s guidance.
The Standard’s Nizaar Kinsella wrote a story stating the club have shifted their willingness to let Chalobah leave for the right price after uncovering the severity of Fofana’s latest injury. Colwill will be an even more indispensable asset now.
Benoit Badiashile, another expensive signing back in January, will miss the start of the new campaign next month as he rehabs from a serious hamstring issue.
As long as it’s not a temporary fix, and a long-term plan is made for him to succeed – the same way Reece James broke through – there’s no reason why Colwill would have his head turned. Callum Hudson-Odoi and others, weren’t so lucky.
Centre-backs at his level, age and profile are highly sought-after, plus it’s easy to forget how seamlessly Marc Guehi’s Crystal Palace move was facilitated two summers ago. Play him, or risk keeping hold of an unhappy youngster.
Picture source: Getty Images, quotes hyperlinked
Mo and Sports 