‘Rate him’: Chelsea may not sign £77m defender and promote their 19-year-old youngster instead – journalist

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Journalist Simon Phillips has claimed on his Substack that Chelsea are considering not signing Josko Gvardiol next summer in favour of promoting Levi Colwill instead.

The youngster has been finally given some first team minutes on his loan spell at Brighton, impressing greatly in a performance against Arsenal in the League Cup.

The World Cup may have come at the worst time possible for him, with an opportunity finally arising for the teenager to break in to what was settled Seagulls backline.

There was some speculation over the summer that he would be pushing Thomas Tuchel for an inclusion in the first team squad this season. He spent an impressive campaign on loan at Huddersfield the year before.

However, the club instead went to sign three new defenders, pushing him out of their plans temporarily in exchange for Marc Cucurella.

Chelsea keen on Colwill

Phillips has now claimed that they may look to not invest in another European talent in favour of giving Colwill an opportunity to impress at Stamford Bridge.

He said: “However, they have since held back from this and making any final decisions on Gvardiol, and they are taking into consideration the situation with Levi Colwill.

“The club are aware of Colwill’s potential and rate him highly, and there are some at Chelsea who believe that he will be ready come the summer to come into the Chelsea squad and play.”

Gvardiol has continued to impress this season for RB Leipzig, after nearly joining the Blues this summer.

Their late efforts failed in the last transfer window, with them looking to sign him for around £77m.

Those at the club continuing to monitor Colwill will be good news for Chelsea fans, who will be hopeful that another youth product can make their way into the first team.