Paul Merson says Chelsea player has ‘got to be stronger’ after watching him last night

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Chelsea’s Levi Colwill has come in for a bit of criticism for his defending in last night’s frustrating defeat at Old Trafford.

Chelsea suffered a 2-1 loss during yesterday’s Premier League fixture away to Manchester United.

The Blues failed to follow up the win over Brighton with a result on Wednesday evening, but you could argue that the team performance was even more worrying than the scoreline.

Next, Mauricio Pochettino’s side travel to Goodison Park to face Everton for another tough away day in the league.

Paul Merson criticial

Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson did single out Levi Colwill for criticism after his defending last night.

The 20-year-old Chelsea defender was outmuscled in the box by Scott McTominay, who won the indiviual battle to head in a winning goal during the second-half.

Merson told Sky Sports: “[Alejandro] Garnacho gets the ball on the left, he cuts back in on his right, he plays a lovely floated ball to the far post. They’re all in steaming in at the far post. McTominay comes in with Colwill. Colwill ends up on the floor flat on his face and arguing. McTominay heads it into the roof of the net from about four yards.

“Colwill’s got to be stronger, he literally falls over! He’s got to be stronger at the back there. Bad, bad defending.”

Similarly, speaking via Prime Video last night, Alan Shearer described it as “really weak” defending from Colwill for McTominay’s match-winning header and second goal of the contest.

Levi Colwill defending

It must have been a proud moment for Colwill, who’s still only 20, to wear the captain’s armband yesterday and lead the side out in Manchester.

However, the talented youngster is still learning on the job at the top level and does need to iron out mistakes in his game.

We don’t think it’s helpful that the natural centre-back is playing a lot of his football this season covering at left-back.

It would be great to see the English defender start more games at centre-half in the coming months.