Chelsea's search for a new left-sided centre-back continues following the exit of Antonio Rudiger last month. Rudiger leaving the club means a massive presence on the pitch needs to be replaced for the Blues.
Thomas Tuchel has a shortlist of central defenders he wants to bring to Stamford Bridge. Among those is Nathan Ake, who Chelsea are readying an offer for, as football.london reported on Thursday.
The 27-year-old, who now plays for Manchester City, left Chelsea on a permanent deal in 2017 to join AFC Bournemouth. Ake's reason for leaving the Blues was his desire to want more first-team football.
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However, five years on from leaving Chelsea, first-team football remains an issue for Ake. The Netherlands international has played just 24 times in the Premier League for City since signing for the club in 2020.
With Chelsea ready to pay north of £30million for his services, albeit to a likely rejection from City, there is a feeling this time that regular first-team football would be on the table for Ake. It could have a detrimental impact on those around him, however.
Levi Colwill, one of the hottest prospects at Chelsea's academy system, is due to return to the club for pre-season following a successful loan spell at Championship side Huddersfield Town. Many supporters have called on Tuchel to give the 19-year-old an opportunity with the senior side next season after an impressive 2021/22 term.
Following the recent success of the likes of Reece James, Mason Mount and Trevoh Chalobah – who all graduated from the club's academy system – there's certainly an argument for Colwill to be considered next season. The signing of Ake, who would come into the Blues XI as a left-sided central defender, could block Colwill's development, though.
Colwill, who, like Ake, is left-footed, would theoretically suit the left centre-back role in a three-at-the-back system. Colwill has made no secret of his desire to make a name for himself at Chelsea but did admit earlier in the year that he may look elsewhere if his development at Stamford Bridge is blocked for whatever reason.
He said: "For me, playing for Chelsea will always be the main aim right now because it is my club. But if that does not happen, well, then I have to find other ways to progress and become the player I want to be."
Interest in Colwill
Leicester City and Southampton have expressed their interest in signing Colwill this summer, football.london understands as a host of Premier League clubs, keep an eye on the teenager's situation at Chelsea. If the defender does leave, it will continue the trend of impressive young centre-backs who graduated from Cobham leaving the club.
Last summer saw Fikayo Tomori join AC Milan on a permanent deal, while Marc Guehi also left to play his football at Crystal Palace. Both have impressed in their debut campaigns at their respective clubs, leaving some Chelsea supporters bemused.
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