Chelsea defender Levi Colwill has dealt his parent club a subtle blow while out on loan to Brighton and Hove Albion. In an interview with The Argus, the 19-year-old has reflected upon his maiden months on the south coast as he seeks first-team opportunities.
He's featured just three times for Graham Potter's side since penning a season-long loan with the Seagulls; two of which were cameos off the bench in the Premier League and the other coming against League One outfit Forest Green Rovers in the Carabao Cup.
But, despite the Cobham graduate's diminutive game time at the Amex Stadium, he's said to be enjoying the challenges of adapting to new surroundings. And, in the process of detailing his first weeks at Brighton, Colwill dealt Chelsea subtle blow claiming that he's training with 'better players'.
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"There are better players around," the defender said. "Everyone in the team is such a good player. I’ve got to get better and level up. It’s a big jump, being with them everyday and training with them. The standards are higher, you can’t let them drop."
Colwill, whose contract at Stamford Bridge expires in 2025, featured 29 times for Huddersfield Town in the Championship last season while on loan. His impressive performances booked the Terriers a place in the play-off final against Nottingham Forest - though, unfortunately for the defender, the Yorkshire-based side fell at the final hurdle.
Despite Colwill's misfortune at Wembley, Chelsea were said to be 'so impressed' with the youngster's development, with the vision that he would play a major part in shaping Tuchel's summer transfer plans, according to Goal. It was expected that the England youth international would integrated into the Blues first-team upon his return from loan at the John Smith's Stadium, the report adds.
So much so that the German boss envisions Colwill at the heart of a back-three in the 'Thiago Silva role', football.london understand. However, there was great speculation over his future at the club as Chelsea delved into the summer transfer market for a new centre-half.
The saga went on for some time, hampering Colwill's ability to knuckle down in pre-season. Still speaking to The Argus, the defender said: "But I am slowly getting up to the team’s level and standards. The training varies a lot at every team you go to.
"I am picking up bits and pieces here and there, which is helping me so much. I have just got to keep learning."
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