Enzo Maresca has just shared that he’s considering making a 21-year-old Chelsea player one of the leaders within the group.
Blues head coach Enzo Maresca had inherited a very young squad of players at Stamford Bridge, but there’s still some high-profile individuals that have achieved big things in the game.
For example, Reece James is the club captain and one of the best defenders around when he’s fit. Meanwhile, World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez wore the armband for Chelsea’s defeat to Manchester City at the weekend in their Premier League opener.
The Athletic recently claimed that Chelsea consider 20-year-old Romeo Lavia as a future leader. It’s one of his teammates that’s been name-checked by the manager on Wednesday, though.
Enzo Maresca views Levi Colwill as a potential leader
During his press conference on Wednesday, Maresca addressed Chelsea’s position regarding the leadership in the group. The Italian coach confirmed that James is still the Blues captain, but he wants to be able to rely on several captains in the squad.
Interestingly, Maresca shared that Levi Colwill, 21, is definitely someone he thinks fits the mould as a leader and is on the radar as a captain option.
“Reece is the captain in this moment. Then we have three or four more captains. I am thinking to nominate one or two more captains, also to give them more responsibility in terms of just not because we have 20 or 21 years, they cannot be the captain,” Maresca said, as quoted by Chelsea’s YouTube channel.
“Some of them need to take one step forward and take more responsibility. For instance, one of the guys would be Levi [Colwill]. He is a young player, fantastic profile, I love Levi. But I think in terms of personality, if he is able to take one step forward in these types of things, then he can become a more complete player.”
Levi Colwill emerging as a key figure
It’s becoming quite apparent that Colwill is key to Chelsea in this new season.
First of all, the left-footed centre-half started in Sunday’s opening day loss to Manchester City. It should be a confidence boost for him that he was in the starting line-up alongside Wesley Fofana, despite all the competition for places in the heart of defence.
On top of that, Maresca’s now publicly stated above that the academy graduate could be one his captains.
WhoScored data recorded that Colwill had the best pass success in the Premier League’s opening fixtures, which highlights that his style really suits the new management. If he can grow into a leader as well, Chelsea could have a special homegrown player on their hands.
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