It's a position Chelsea have been in before – twice in the last three years, in fact. A talented young defender has enhanced their reputation with a stellar season on loan in the Championship. Now there is debate as to what the next step should be. Stay or go, perhaps even permanently. What's the best option?
There is no right or wrong answer to that question, at least not from the player's perspective. In 2019 – after the appointment of Frank Lampard – Reece James backed himself to build on a fine campaign with Wigan Athletic and push himself into the Chelsea side. It has certainly paid off with the 22-year-old now considered one of the world's best in his position.
Last summer, though, came a different story. Marc Guehi returned to Chelsea for pre-season after an 18-month spell at Swansea City, in which he proved himself one of the finest young defenders in English football. But within days, he was gone after an £18million permanent transfer to Crystal Palace was completed. Guehi is now a regular in the England squad.
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Chelsea didn't need to sell Guehi last summer – he still had two years remaining on his contract. Yet no assurances were given to the centre-back over his integration into the first-team squad under Thomas Tuchel. And he certainly didn't want to follow in the footsteps of other academy graduates and get stuck in the loan cycle.
So when the opportunity to switch to Selhurst Park emerged, Guehi took it and hasn't looked back. Chelsea, meanwhile, will have to count the cost of their short-sightedness this summer as they look to replace Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger, both of whom will leave on free transfers at the end of next month.
Chelsea do possess an ace up their sleeve. A do-over, almost. And that is Levi Colwill.
The 19-year-old was long considered one of the standout prospects in the Chelsea academy and last summer embarked on his first loan move away from the club. The defender joined Huddersfield Town and, despite being 18 years old at the time, instantly adapted to the men's game and the relentless of the Championship.
He has been tipped to play for England by his Terriers teammates, and those who watched Colwill at youth level for Chelsea will tell you he has everything required to thrive as a centre-back in the modern game. Physique, technique, and temperament. Colwill has the lot.
Is he ready for the Premier League? Without a doubt – and he may reach it with Huddersfield, who will take on Nottingham Forest on Sunday in the Championship play-off final at Wembley. It's a big stage but one unlikely to faze the teenager given what he's achieved this term.
Such has been the level and consistency of Colwill's performances, top-flight sides and countless more across Europe have pencilled his name in as a target this summer. Yet Chelsea holds all the cards, given the youngster signed a new four-year deal last summer before he departed on loan.
That does not mean the club can rest easy; a decision will need to be made. Colwill is set to return to Chelsea for pre-season and will have the opportunity to impress Tuchel. Given his natural ability, that is unlikely to be hugely difficult. Still, talent alone is not enough without opportunity.
Chelsea and Tuchel possess a roadmap to follow in James. He is the perfect example of what can be gained when a standout academy graduate is given a little trust in the first team, even if their only previous experience is in the Championship. Guehi, meanwhile, is a reminder of what the Blues can lose when faith is not shown.
The ever-growing Premier League interest in Colwill is as strong an indication – if Chelsea needed it – that the England Under-21 international is ready for a role in Tuchel's squad next term. The momentum he's built this season must be capitalised on, his development must not be slowed. The Blues got it right with James. They must do so the same with Colwill.
