Huddersfield Town’s Leigh Bromby has claimed he can’t believe Chelsea loaned out Levi Colwill this season.
Bromby, the sporting director of Championship club Huddersfield, witnessed Colwill’s talent first-hand last year.
The 19-year-old defender is a rising star to come through Chelsea’s academy system, but spent last season experiencing regular first-team football with Huddersfield.
He really impressed for a side that eventually lost in the Championship play-off final, which is why supporters at Stamford Bridge are now aware of his talent.
Chelsea, who were still managed by Thomas Tuchel at the time, thought it was best to send Colwill out on loan again for this 2022/23 campaign.
He’s been part of an in-form Brighton squad this season as he tries to get top-flight football under his belt.
Bromby can’t believe Chelsea loaned out Colwill
Huddersfield’s senior chief has waxed lyrical about the quality of Chelsea-owned Colwill, who made a big impression during his time in Yorkshire.
He’s confident that the teenage centre-back can have a “big future” at Stamford Bridge and is a little surprised he’s not already in the senior squad.
When discussing Colwill’s time at Huddersfield, Bromby told The Athletic: “It was almost like cheating when he played [last season]. It’s caused us a real problem this year because trying to replace someone of his level is not easy,”
“I’m surprised he’s not involved with Chelsea, but this is a logical step to go on loan in the Premier League and then make that transition to the first team… If he does well this year, you can see him naturally going and playing for Chelsea and being a regular there. There aren’t many left-footed centre-backs. He’s got a great chance. I think he’s got a big future ahead.”
Tuchel didn’t look to include him in the squad in the most recent summer, but will things be different under Graham Potter next year?
Rio Ferdinand tipped Colwill as a potential future star earlier this month, so he’s definitely a youngster beginning to grab people’s attention.
For Chelsea fans, they’ll hope that the club have unlocked yet another gem from the academy.
The immediate focus for Colwill needs to be on his time at Brighton because he’s facing a major challenge to get into the XI.
He’s only played five games so far this season for Brighton, but really impressed with a couple of recent chances in the side pre-World Cup.
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