Chelsea’s Levi Colwill is enduring a really tough loan this season at Premier League rivals Brighton.
Colwill, 19, is an exciting young Blues defender to come through the famous academy at Cobham.
The teenager enjoyed huge success last year during a season-long loan at Huddersfield Town in the Championship, which ended with defeat in the play-off final.
Described as “fantastic” by Huddersfield’s Tom Lees, Chelsea’s young centre-back did enough during the past year to really enhance his reputation.
It seemed a smart move from the Blues to loan him out again for the 2022/23 season, this time taking a step up in level to play for Brighton.
Unfortunately, it’s proving to be a campaign to forget so far.
Tough loan for Levi Colwill
Chelsea supporters may be surprised to hear their highly-rated loanee has made just three appearances in Brighton colours this campaign.
The 19-year-old left-footer has been used twice off the bench in the Premier League, as well as earning one start in the Carabao Cup. Incidentally, all of his Brighton minutes were under Graham Potter’s management before he left the Seagulls to become Chelsea’s new head coach.
It’s quite alarming that Colwill has started more games for England’s Under-21s side than at his loan club this season.
Since Roberto De Zerbi took charge as Brighton’s new manager, Colwill has had to remain patient on the sidelines.
The best he can do is work hard behind the scenes and be ready to seize the next chance that comes his way.
It’s pretty clear that not every loan is going to be a perfect suit. You only need to look at the rocky club career of England captain Harry Kane on numerous loans before he eventually became a superstar at Tottenham.
It obviously feels like a wasted opportunity because Chelsea will want Colwill playing as many games as possible to help his development.
His displays last year certainly meant supporters earmarked him as a potential first-team player at Stamford Bridge.
Potter actually described Colwill as “very impressive” after working with him at Brighton, so the youngster needs to try just fight through this tough period sat on the bench.
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