Cobham graduate Levi Colwill joins Huddersfield Town to try strengthen their hopes of a top half finish

News broke earlier this week through Fabrizio Romano surrounding Levi Colwill’s future at Chelsea with a new four-year contract being offered to the defender and with a loan spell to a Championship club also on the horizon.

Speaking to fellow Prost International writer Toby Noakes, he told me what he thought of the young defender and his career so far for the blues.

“Levi Colwill is a special talent. Joining Chelsea aged eight, the Southampton-born defender made a name for himself with a standout campaign for the development squad last season, helping his side to a second-place finish behind champions Manchester City.

“A left-footed defender, Colwill has played the majority of his football at centre-back – his natural position. Although, his dynamic skill set has also seen him feature at full-back during the Premier League 2 campaign.

“Brave on the ball, the 18-year old’s calmness in possession shows maturity beyond his years as he is not afraid to step out of defence when being chased by an opposition attacker.

“His stature and confidence in play have led many to compare the teenager with Andreas Christensen, the former Danish academy graduate who has made 74 appearances for the Blues and starred in their Champions League triumph in May.

“Ironically, Colwill trained with Chelsea’s first-team squad in February and towards the backend of the season to cover for the injured Christensen after catching the eye of Thomas Tuchel.

“It could be suggested that Chelsea may have seen AC Milan’s decision to activate Fikakyo Tomori’s release clause following his 6-month loan spell an acceptable option because of the pathway it will open for Colwill in a few years time.

“The new four-year contract and an imminent loan deal for Colwill shows Chelsea are willing to invest in the defender’s abilities with the aim to integrate him into the first-team setup in seasons to come.”

On Thursday, it was released that this club he was joining on loan was to be Huddersfield Town, and on Friday, the signing of the contract and the imminent loan spell was confirmed.

The Terriers for the past three seasons have been poor at the back with at least 70 goals conceded for the past three seasons, whilst Huddersfield have been better offensively in the past two campaigns, they have been nowhere near good enough to warrant that amount of goals shipped.

In their return to the Championship, the Yorkshire outlet has often relied on experienced professionals at the back such as Tommy Elphick, Christopher Schindler, Richard Keogh and Richard Stearman. Whilst there have been a few youthful players that have featured, none have been given extensive chances.

The closest to being given his big break is Rarmani Edmonds-Green, who came into the side after Stearman suffered an injury in November, whilst the defender impressed this season, he is still yet to staple his place within the side.

However, this window seems different for Huddersfield, with five signings already through the doors before the signing of Colwill and the Terriers seem to be getting their business done early and effectively.

Whilst already strengthening their back-ups, Colwill looks a massive step forward in the defensive region and could prove the perfect partner to Edmonds-Green this season.

This season, Naby Sarr has prominently featured on the left-hand side of the defence and without doubt, Colwill is an improvement on the Senegalese defender, whilst Sarr has been a viable option in the defence.

He has shown at times, the centre-half that would be needed at the top of the table however, his mistake-proneness has cost the Yorkshire side a lot this season.

Colwill will be pivotal to Carlos Corberán’s system this season given his preference of playing out from the back. The 18-year-old is comfortable on the ball going forward, additionally, the youngster is extremely capable of passing at short or long-range.

With Tuchel being a fan of the centre-half, it is impressive that Huddersfield Town have managed to attract him, with a view of a top half table finish in the sight of the Terriers this season and for Colwill, a chance to return to Chelsea to challenge for a spot in the defence.

The loan could further benefit Huddersfield too, with Izzy Brown and Kasey Palmer having successful spells in blue and white.

Trevoh Chalobah was the latest signing from Chelsea in the Terriers’ first season back in the Championship, the two clubs already have a positive relationship, and if Colwill joins the list of successful loans between the clubs, the Yorkshire side could earn the chance to see more Cobham graduates through the doors albeit on loan, with Huddersfield’s vision at returning back to the Premier League.

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