Tottenham News Scout: Why Tottenham must sign Levi Colwill from Chelsea this summer
Tottenham are eyeing a swoop for Chelsea centre-back Levi Colwill, with the Blue’s man impressing on loan at Brighton this season, according to The Sun.
It’s no secret that Spurs are in desperate need of defensive reinforcements, conceding a mammoth 45 goals in their 31 Premier League games – the worst of any top-half side.
Colwill has impressed at Chelsea in the past, and last season helped Huddersfield secure a play-off place; however, he has spent this season on loan at Brighton in search of regular Premier League minutes.
Unfortunately, injuries have hampered the Englishman’s progression this season, as Colwill has made just 10 topflight appearances for the Seagulls, with his longest run of games coming in a five-game span either side of the World Cup (Transfermarkt).
However, as reported by the Sun, Tottenham is still keen to lure Colwill to Hotspur Way this summer, as they look to take advantage of what could be a tricky window for the Blues owner Todd Boehly (The Sun).
Chelsea have been notoriously big spenders this season, laying out £600m pounds on signings including a record January expenditure that saw World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez arrive at Stamford Bridge for a British-record fee.
Not only has this left many questioning the Blue’s spending in the eyes of Financial Fair Play, but if reports are to be believed, separate training matches had to be run, whilst players were forced to get changed in the corridors of the Bridge with too little space inside the dressing room (The Athletic).
This in turn could resent an opportunity for Tottenham, as with an already bloated squad, Boehly, alongside whoever eventually ends up in the dugout, will surely be forced to part with some of Chelsea’s assets, perhaps leaving Spurs with a clear run at Colwill.
Despite being just 20, the Englishman profiles as the exact kind of defender Spurs are after; a confident, ball-playing centreback with an air of solidity.
Compared to centrebacks in Europe’s top five leagues this season, Colwill’s 82.87 passes per 90 sees him rank in the top 1% for said metric; the same goes for that and his 3.67 aerial duals won, whilst he also puts up strong progressive passes and carries – 4.43 and 1.39 respectively per 90 (FB Ref).
Looking at Spurs’ current centre-back options, a roster of Eric Dier, Cristian Romero, Davidson Sanchez, Japhet Tanganga, Ben Davies and an on-loan Clement Lenglet can certainly be improved on, so this would see Colwill arrive as a welcomed addition.
Moreover, if whoever sits in the Spurs dugout next season does opt for a similar system as Conte; a setup which in truth suits Tottenham’s squad makeup, Colwill’s on-the-ball ability would see him slot into the system perfectly, likely in replacement of Davies or Lenglet as the left-sided centre-back.
However, for Spurs, out with the price tag likely placed on Colwill, whether or not Chelsea would be willing to sell to another top-six rival is certainly a stumbling block, and moreover, another top-six rival in the form of Tottenham – a club they traditionally don’t do business with.
Given his pedigree, Colwill will likely have several suitors, but with his current contract at Stamford Bridge running until 2025 (Transfermarkt), if the Blues decide the defender is an asset worth holding on to, they are in no forced position to sell.
But that being said, given the makeup of the Blue’s current squad, Colwill in truth looks like one of the few players who hasn’t recently arrived at the club that could be dubbed a “sellable asset”.
If the opportunity does arise for Tottenham and Daniel Levy, the chance to sign Colwill is absolutely worth pursuing, and this is certainly one Spurs fans will be keen to keep an eye on this summer.