Tag: Levi Colwill

Chelsea to face Bournemouth with makeshift defence as Sancho looks to make debut

Enzo Maresca has been presented with a right-back conundrum in his preparations for Chelsea’s trip to Bournemouth.

The Blues face the Cherries on Saturday evening, live on talkSPORT, in search of a second Premier League win of the season.

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Chelsea are eyeing a second league win of the seasonCredit: Getty

Chelsea fans could be set for a first glimpse of Deadline Day signing Jadon Sancho, with Cole Palmer set to play a key role again.

However, Maresca will be without his two senior right-backs on the south coast as Reece James and Malo Gusto are out through injury.

“Malo is still out and he is not available for tomorrow’s game,” he said on the Frenchman, who suffered a thigh injury in the 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace last time out.

Speaking on club captain James, who has been dealing with another hamstring problem, Maresca stated: “Unfortunately, Reece needs more time.”

Given the absences at right-back, talkSPORT.com has looked at how Chelsea’s starting XI could look this weekend at Bournemouth.

Robert Sanchez has featured as the Blues’ goalkeeper in all three of their opening Premier League matches and is set to do so again.

Filip Jorgensen started in their Conference League qualifying matches against Servette, but could miss out after coming off for the Denmark U21s during the international break.

With James and Gusto unavailable, Maresca could turn to Axel Disasi to play at right-back against Bournemouth.

The Frenchman is a natural centre-back, but has played on the right of the defence for Chelsea before, doing so eight times last term.

Moises Caicedo is another potential option for the position having featured there for Brighton, but he is almost certain to play in midfield instead.

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Maresca will not have right-backs James and Gusto available against BournemouthCredit: Getty

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Disasi could the man who plays in their absenceCredit: Getty

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Colwill and Fofana are likely to start in front of SanchezCredit: Getty

Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill have been Maresca’s go-to pairing at centre-back in the Premier League so far this season.

They are likely to start again this weekend ahead of Benoit Badiashile and Tosin Adarabioyo, who both featured against Servette.

At left-back, Marc Cucurella is likely to be named in the starting XI for a fourth consecutive league match over Ben Chilwell.

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Chilwell is back in Chelsea contention after being included in their 25-man Premier League squad list and is set to return to training after his exile from the first-team.

Romeo Lavia made his first start for the Blues in their 2-0 opening weekend defeat to Manchester City, but will miss the trip to Bournemouth.

Maresca said he is ‘very close’ to making a comeback in training after a hamstring injury, so Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez are likely to be given the nod in midfield.

Carney Chukwuemeka, Cesare Casadei, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Renato Veiga are other options, however it’s unlikely they will all feature in the matchday squad.

Noni Madueke will be hopeful of a return to the starting XI at right-wing after he assisted Harry Kane on his England debut on Tuesday.

The 22-year-old shone in Chelsea’s 6-2 win against Wolves prior to the international break as he scored an excellent second-half hat-trick.

In attacking midfield, Palmer looks to be the nailed-on choice for Maresca as he continues to be the Blues’ standout player.

He already has one goal and four assists to his name this season and, despite withdrawing from England duty, he has been in training this week and is set to feature at the Vitality Stadium.

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Caicedo will be hopeful of putting in another dominant midfield performanceCredit: Getty

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Palmer and Madueke were excellent together against WolvesCredit: Getty

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Pedro Neto could be handed another start for Chelsea at left-wingCredit: Getty

For the left-wing position, Sancho could be handed his Chelsea debut after signing on loan from Manchester United in a deal that includes an obligation to buy for a total £25million.

Maresca spoke on his potential inclusion during his pre-match press conference, but remained coy when he said: “I decide the first XI.

“It depends on the training session. Jadon is one of our wingers. I’m seeing the exact way I expected of him.

“He is a very good player in the last third, one-v-one, quality in the last third, so he is exactly the player we were looking at. It’s a matter of finding the right moment for him and to give him a chance.”

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Sancho may be set to make his Chelsea debut this weekendCredit: Getty

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Jackson has scored against Wolves and Palace so far this seasonCredit: Getty

Mykhailo Mudryk has made the most starts on the left of the attack this season, but Maresca could opt for Pedro Neto instead, with Sancho coming off the bench if needed.

Chelsea announced on Friday that Nicolas Jackson has signed a new two-year deal at the club until 2033 and he looks set to lead the line once again.

The Senegal international banged in 19 goals in all competitions last season and already has two to his name this campaign, as well as an assist across four appearances.

Joao Felix and Christopher Nkunku have so far scored one and two goals respectively and can play as the centre-forward if needed along with Marc Guiu, although he is unlikely to feature.

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Here’s how Chelsea could line up against Bournemouth…

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September 13, 2024
McClean appears to post subtle response to Colwill scrap in Chelsea clash

Wrexham star James McClean appeared to aim a subtle dig at Chelsea’s Levi Colwill after their scrap on the pitch during a pre-season friendly.

The match was friendly in name only, as the veteran Irishman and young Blues defender clashed within minutes of kick-off in their encounter at the Levi’s Stadium – home of NFL side San Francisco 49ers.

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McClean and Colwill clashed just minutes into their ‘friendly’ match in the StatesCredit: Getty

England international Colwill reacted to an early challenge from McClean, with the pair going shoulder-to-shoulder off the ball.

It led to a bit of a fracas, with Colwill grabbing McClean by his shirt and the pair grappling in the middle of the field with just 122 seconds on the clock.

The scenes then escalated as players from both teams and even Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson got involved after sprinting out from the technical area.

After the scenes petered out, both players avoided bookings and the two British clubs shared the spoils, with League One Wrexham holding the Premier League giants to a 2-2 draw across the pond.

Christopher Nkunku opened the scoring for Chelsea in the first-half, before goals from Luke Bolton and Jack Marriott put the north Wales club ahead, with the Blues needing a late equaliser from Lesley Ugochukwu to salvage a draw.

But McClean couldn’t resist a cheeky dig at his Chelsea rival with a social media post the day after the match.

Posting a selfie from Sugarrays boxing gym in Vancouver, the former Wigan and Stoke star posted: “No pushing or shoving here – proper fighting.”

Wrexham are currently enjoying their second pre-season tour of the United States since their takeover from Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds and Always Sunny in Philadelphia creator Rob McElhenney.

Branded the ‘Wrex Coast Tour’, the Welsh side are celebrating their back-to-back promotion success with friendly games in Santa Barbara, San Francisco and Los Angeles in the US.

Plus, they’re making a trip north of the border to Vancouver, Canada – Reynolds’ home city.

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McClean is a big lover of boxing and has been no stranger to scraps on the football pitch over his careerCredit: Instagram: @macajw

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Colwill and McClean forgot the meaning of the word ‘friendly’Credit: Wrexham

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McClean captained Wrexham to a commendable 2-2 draw with Chelsea in CaliforniaCredit: Getty

The club’s women’s team are also playing a series of matches in LA and Portland.

Wrexham have enjoyed a decent pre-season so far, beating non-league side Hanley Town 5-1 before a 1-1 draw with Bournemouth and 2-2 draw with Chelsea in California.

They play Major League Soccer outfit Vancouver Whitecaps in Canada on Sunday, before returning home to host Fleetwood Town at the Racecourse Ground on August 3.

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Parkinson’s men then begin their League One campaign against Wycombe on August 10, as Wrexham look to consolidate their position in the third tier of English football.

Or, who knows, maybe even go for three straight promotions to reach the Championship.

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July 27, 2024
No Gallagher or Caicedo and Leicester star – how Chelsea may look under Maresca

Chelsea look set for a new style of play as they prepare to welcome Enzo Maresca from Leicester.

talkSPORT understands that the Blues are close to announcing the Italian as their new head coach to replace Mauricio Pochettino.

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Maresca is close to becoming the new head coach at ChelseaCredit: Getty

Maresca will leave Leicester after just one season in which they won the Championship to seal an instant return to the Premier League.

The 44-year-old previously worked with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City during their treble-winning 2022/23 campaign.

But he now looks set to take charge at Chelsea, and talkSPORT.com has looked at how the west London side could line up under him.

Maresca tends to play a 4-3-3 formation when out of possession, but when his team wins the ball, this can change to a 3-2-4-1.

One of the full-backs will invert into the midfield, with the two No.8s then pushing forward as they look to attack the opposition.

Starting in goal, Djordje Petrovic has been Chelsea’s first-choice for much of the season, but Maresca could look to bring one of his own with him from Leicester.

Foxes fans on social media have raised their concerns that it could be Mads Hermansen who follows, with the Dane strong with his feet and off the back of an impressive campaign in which he kept 13 clean sheets.

At full-back in the 4-3-3 formation, Marc Cucurella and Reece James could be the opted pairing on the left and right respectively.

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Hermansen was a huge success in goal under Maresca and could join him at ChelseaCredit: Getty

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James and Cucurella may well be the preferred full-back duoCredit: Getty

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Here is how Chelsea could line up when out of possession

Not only can they both play at centre-back, they can also feature in midfield to help in a 3-2-4-1 – Cucurella did so towards the end of the season and James sometimes played in midfield on loan at Wigan.

Chelsea’s main centre-back duo could consist of Levi Colwill and Wesley Fofana, who missed the entirety of the season with an ACL injury.

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The Frenchman impressed when he played in his first season at Stamford Bridge and may be set for a fresh start under Maresca, with Colwill also a young yet, talented prospect to have already shown his worth.

Starting in the middle of the pitch could be Enzo Fernandez, who has spent much of the campaign playing further forward than many would have expected.

The 23-year-old could play in a more deeper role under Maresca though having found huge success there with Argentina in their World Cup win in 2022.

British record signing Moises Caicedo, as well as the injured Romeo Lavia, are also options for the new Chelsea boss, but Fernandez’s passing and ball play could give him the edge.

This means there may not be room for Conor Gallagher in central midfield, with the 24-year-old heavily linked with a summer exit amid interest from Aston Villa and Tottenham.

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When Chelsea win the ball, this how they could switch up

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Caicedo and Fernandez are top midfield choices, but Maresca could go with the latterCredit: Getty

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This may mean no room for Gallagher amid speculation he could be soldCredit: Getty

In attacking midfield, the Premier League’s Young Player of the Season Cole Palmer is in line for an immediate starting role after amassing 40 goal contributions in his first season.

Palmer, along with Lavia, played under Maresca for the City U21s side and made a big impact as he scored 13 goals and assisted another six in 16 appearances.

Alongside him could be Christopher Nkunku, who endured an unlucky start to life at Chelsea amid various injury issues, but impressed when fit, scoring three goals in 14 appearances.

Mykhailo Mudryk may be set to feature on the left wing after an improved second season with the Blues that saw him score some crucial goals.

Aged 23, the Ukrainian is still a young player and given Maresca’s experience in youth coaching, this appointment could provide a huge boost to his progress.

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Palmer looks set to be one of the first names on the teamsheet under MarescaCredit: Getty

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Nicolas Jackson could be trusted to lead the line for Chelsea again next seasonCredit: Getty

The same can be said with Noni Madueke, who has also stepped up his game following a quiet opening few months at Stamford Bridge.

He ended the season with eight goals from the right wing, including a curling strike against Maresca’s Leicester in their FA Cup quarter-final clash.

Nicolas Jackson was Chelsea’s second top scorer behind Palmer this season, with the Senegal international firing in 17 goals.

The Blues have long been linked with Victor Osimhen and Ivan Toney, but Jackson’s efforts in his debut season at Chelsea could be rewarded in the form of the starting striker role under Maresca.

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May 28, 2024
Chelsea close to tying Colwill down to six-year deal and seek buyers for teammate

Chelsea defender Levi Colwill is close to signing a new six-year contract at the club, talkSPORT understands.

It’s understood the England Under-21s star was unsure about his future but Blues head coach Mauricio Pochettino convinced him he has a big role to play.

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Colwill has attracted interest from other clubs this summer but he looks set to stay at ChelseaCredit: Getty

Colwill is committing his future at Stamford Bridge having been subject to transfer interest from Brighton, where he spent last season on loan, and Liverpool.

The 20-year-old centre-back starred in England’s Under-21 European Championship-winning campaign, which saw the Young Lions triumph without conceding a single goal in six matches.

It was suggested Brighton could sign Colwill on a permanent basis with midfielder Moises Caicedo set to go the other way.

Liverpool then came in for the player amid his heroics for England in Romania and Georgia but he’s now set to stay at Chelsea.

But one player who could be heading for the Stamford Bridge exit door is defender Trevoh Chalobah.

talkSPORT understands Chelsea are actively seeking a buyer for the 24-year-old. talkSPORT revealed in May they were open to offers for Chalobah.

Born in Southampton, Colwill joined Chelsea at under-9 level, and has been on their books ever since.

As well as spending last term at Brighton, Colwill was on loan at Huddersfield Town in the 2021/22 season.

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Colwill could line up with England U21s teammate Noni Madueke at Chelsea this seasonCredit: Getty

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But Chalobah could be heading for the Stamford Bridge exit doorCredit: Getty

Chelsea have been very busy in the transfer market this summer, signing eight players this summer, including forwards Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson.

They’ve let go of many more players with notable names including Kai Havertz, Mateo Kovacic, Cesar Azpilicueta, N’Golo Kante, Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly, Christian Pulisic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Mason Mount all leaving.

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July 31, 2023
Chelsea star Colwill issues four-word answer in response to Liverpool rumours

Chelsea starlet Colwill has once again refused to comment on his future amid links with a summer move to Liverpool.

After a successful spell on loan at Brighton, the 20-year-old capped off a fine campaign with the England Under-21 side, helping them to European glory last weekend.

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Chelsea starlet Colwill is the subject of interest to Brighton and LiverpoolCredit: Getty

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He chose to stay silent on the rumours once againCredit: @PotterEra_ Twitter

He joined Blues teammate Noni Madueke on Instagram live after the Three Lions won the European U21 Championships on Saturday night.

Madueke told the viewers watching: “We’re both coming back. He is as well. I will make sure he comes back!”

Colwill appeared awkward after the comments as one of Chelsea’s stars did his best to convince fans he is staying put.

Just three days later, the centre-back’s future was discussed once again, this time on a different Instagram live.

With Colwill relaxing in a swimming pool on holiday, his friend addressed the rumours with Liverpool, who are keen on signing him.

However, he was on hand to deliver a blunt response as he said: “No football talk, man.”

Having shone in his 24 appearances for them last season, Brighton are keen to sign Colwill permanently and made a £30million offer.

But Chelsea turned it down and talkSPORT understands that they have offered him a new long-term deal.

The Daily Mail report that Mauricio Pochettino is set to hold face-to-face talks with Colwill this week ahead of pre-season.

With Benoit Badiashile set to remain sidelined due to injury, Colwill could certainly fill the left centre-back role at the start of the season.

Thiago Silva, Wesley Fofana and Trevoh Chalobah also provide back line competition, although the latter has been linked with a move away.

Colwill’s future could prove to be yet another transfer saga during the summer window, with Chelsea keen to keep hold of their talent.

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July 11, 2023
Madueke drops Colwill transfer hint amid Chelsea uncertainty and Liverpool links

Levi Colwill gave an awkward response when Noni Madueke declared that the defender would be at Chelsea this season.

The duo were celebrating England’s success at the European Under-21 Championships following their 1-0 win over Spain when the central defender took to Instagram live to give his followers an insight into the celebrations.

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Colwill and Madueke were celebrating their Euros success with England under-21sCredit: Getty

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However he looked embarrassed with Madueke started talking about his future during his Instagram Liv

However Colwill got more than he bargained for when he invited Chelsea teammate Madueke to get involved.

“We’re both coming back,” Madueke said. “He is as well.

“I will make sure he comes back!”

Colwill looked awkward following the exchange, likely to due to the ongoing speculation regarding his future in west London.

The 20-year-old defender spent last season on loan with Brighton where he shone in 24 appearances to help the Seagulls into the Europa League.

Roberto De Zerbi’s side have since been linked with a permanent move for the player, with talkSPORT understanding that the club are willing to pay £40million for the defender.

With Liverpool also emerging as contenders to sign him it remains to be seen where Colwill’s future lies due to his deserved desire for regular first team football at the highest level.

For Chelsea fans, they’ll be hoping that Madueke can keep to his word by ensuring Colwill is in the blue of the west London side on the opening day of the season.

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July 8, 2023
Brighton still hopeful of signing Chelsea starlet, who fans joke has ‘generational aura’

Brighton have not given up hope of signing Chelsea defender Levi Colwill, talkSPORT understands.

The Seagulls are willing to pay a club record £40m fee for England Under-21 star Colwill, who spent last season on loan at the Amex Stadium.

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Colwill made 24 appearances for Brighton last season, 17 of them in the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty

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Right now he’s starring for Under-21 European Championship for an England side yet to concede a goal at the tournamentCredit: Getty

Colwill is currently on duty with the Young Lions, who booked their place in the final of the U21 European Championship with a 3-0 win over Israel.

The England defenders didn’t have a whole lot to do in the semi-final, but Colwill still managed to grab the attention of fans.

Shortly after Morgan Gibbs-White headed Lee Carsley’s side in front, Colwill received the ball just inside his own half with no pressure being put on him by the Israel players.

As he travelled inside the Israel half the match entered a painfully awkward static period with the Israel players sitting back for the remaining few minutes of the first half as Colwill stood still with the ball at his feet.

Colwill eventually played the ball out right to teammate James Garner having been on it for a whole 32 seconds – and fans couldn’t help but joke about the ‘aura’ the 20-year-old possesses.

“Now this is the definition of ‘aura’ from Colwill,” one fan said.

“Levi Colwill might have generational aura. A whole team is stood in front of him and he’s stood there glancing at the crowd like it’s nothing,” another fan said.

“How do you put a price on such AURA?.. Levi Colwill,” this fan added.

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Colwill got the ball and stayed on it for over half a minuteCredit: uefa

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The Israel players didn’t dare put a challenge inCredit: uefa

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Even the referee seemed quite taken by Colwill’s auraCredit: uefa

“Colwill defending with his Aura we finally got our VVD [Virgil van Dijk],” one Chelsea fan claimed.

Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge but talkSPORT understands no official bid has come in for the Ecuador international.

Meanwhile, Brighton are not in the running for Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay or Bristol City midfielder Alex Scott.

Brighton have also been linked with former Rangers defender Calvin Bassey as well as Ghana star Mohammed Kudus, although talkSPORT understands this may not be an easy deal to do financially.

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Chelsea may want to think about putting an aura premium on Colwill’s price tagCredit: Getty

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July 5, 2023
Liverpool, Man City go ‘head to head’ in Chelsea ‘fire sale’ as Blues look to ‘generate close to £200m’

Liverpool and Manchester City are keen on raiding Chelsea for young defender Levi Colwill in the summer transfer window, according to reports.

The Blues have spent around £600m on transfers over the last couple of transfer windows with all the changes putting them in the bottom half of the Premier League.

It has been a disastrous season at Stamford Bridge with the first-team squad currently being managed by Frank Lampard with the Chelsea hierarchy sacking both Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter this campaign.

Chelsea are 11th in the Premier League and hanging on in the Champions League after a 2-0 loss at Real Madrid gave them a slim chance of overturning the deficit in the home leg at Stamford Bridge next week.

And now the Evening Standard claim that both Liverpool and Man City are hoping to take advantage of their ‘fire sale’ this summer with Todd Boehly looking to recoup some money and trim the squad.

The Reds and the Citizens are ‘ready to raid’ Chelsea for Colwill ‘ as clubs queue up to take advantage of financial threats by poaching homegrown stars from Stamford Bridge’.

Both Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola have identified Colwill – who has played 15 games on a season-long loan deal at Brighton this season – as ‘a top target’ this summer with Liverpool and City to go ‘head to head’ for his signature.

Colwill is ‘viewed as a future England star’ by both Premier League clubs and Chelsea ‘do not want to lose Colwill and are set to enter contract talks with the Cobham graduate to ward off interest’.

But Liverpool and Man City ‘sense an opportunity’ as the Blues look to stay in line with the Premier League’s Financial Fair Play regulations.

The Evening Standard add: ‘Selling some homegrown stars would be pure profit under the new version of UEFA’s financial sustainability rules, and offloading Colwill, Mason Mount, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Conor Gallagher and Ruben Loftus-Cheek could generate close to £200m.’

Chelsea legend Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink recently heaped praise on Colwill with the Dutchman predicting a big future for the England under-21 international.

When asked who he enjoys watching as a pundit, Hasselbaink replied: “There’s a few. I really like James Maddison because he’s just so creative and I think he could be in line for a big transfer soon. I also really like Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford who has really surprised me, he’s come back so strong.

“I’ve also enjoyed watching Levi Colwill on loan at Brighton, he’s really impressed me. I think he’s going to develop into a really big player.

“Thiago Silva is another I love to watch, every problem he’s trying to resolve it football wise, he barely kicks a ball in the stand, he barely just heads the ball away. He always gets it to his teammates, he’s so composed.”

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April 14, 2023