Social media was divided last summer when it came to the exodus of Chelsea’s youngsters.
Some believed that the club were powerless in nearly all of the cases, with the short contracts of players lessening the club’s strength in negotiations, whilst others felt it was a move that would come back to haunt the club in the long term.
Whatever way you felt, the uncertainty over the club’s ownership and subsequent activity in the transfer market this summer makes the use of internal solutions all the more sensible.
This season, Conor Gallagher has been the standout, excelling at Crystal Palace and looking like a player ready-made to return to his boyhood club and cause havoc in Thomas Tuchel’s pressing system.
Another name that supporters feel should return this summer is Levi Colwill.
Wearing the number 26 on his back, the comparisons to Chelsea’s greatest captain were obvious, to which Levi responded in an insightful interview with The Athletic recently.
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“I’m not going to complain. It’s not a bad thing to be called the new John Terry.” Colwill said.
Colwill, similar to the way Marc Guehi did in England’s second tier, showcased an ability to quickly handle the demands of senior football after moving from the academy.
Colwill’s contract was extended last summer to 2025, lessening the panic of him walking this summer.
Following the reports and confirmation that senior heads Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen will leave this summer, there are spots to fill.
Already there have been links to new defenders across Europe, one of which is Croatian Josko Gvardiol at RB Leipzig.
The 20-year-old is reportedly admired by Thomas Tuchel, and has been reported by Goal, is seen as a good option to play on the left side of a back three and is being considered for a summer move despite his age.
This slightly has shades of the very public pursuit of Achraf Hakimi last summer, when the hopes were that academy prospect, Tino Livramento would be making the step up into the first team.
Chelsea reportedly bid for Hakimi, trying to usurp PSG’s interest in the Moroccan wing-back, who would eventually sign for the Ligue 1 club when the Blues backed away.
Gvardiol, despite having the acclaim of playing for Leipzig in the Bundesliga, is only one year older than Colwill – who has more suitable experience in English football.
Both are left-footed, with Colwill slightly taller than Gvardiol at 1.87m. Signing Gvardiol could be seen as a move blocking the pathway of Colwill, who already looks like a major talent that could save the Blues a significant fee in the market this summer.
Given the trend that was set in 2021 with Livramento, Guehi, Fikayo Tomori and Tammy Abraham – there is a prosperous route beyond Stamford Bridge, and as was seen under previous ownership, the club were willing to accept bids for young talent.
This is something Chelsea should aim to avoid under new ownership as Tuchel aims to form a more cohesive squad for next season.