Naturally, a summer transfer window full of incomings is going to excite a lot of supporters. For Chelsea, that is the case as the club embarks on a new era under the co-ownership of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital.
However, there is a possible downside of bringing new signings to the club – blocking the development of the young players in the ranks. Chelsea supporters take pride in their academy stars now shining for the senior team. Just see the likes of Mason Mount, Reece James and Trevoh Chalobah.
All three of these Cobham graduates were integral for the Blues last season. Many are now wondering who the next young star will be who breaks out of the academy system and helps with matters in the senior squad.
READ MORE: Nathan Ake makes huge Chelsea transfer decision amid Presnel Kimpembe and Levi Colwill options
Many think, or at least thought, that man will be Levi Colwill. The 19-year-old central defender enjoyed a fantastic 2021/22 season on loan at Huddersfield Town, coming close to helping the Terriers achieve promotion back to the Premier League.
Colwill is seen by many as the perfect modern-day centre-back. The way he can run with the ball, his calmness and composure while in possession, and his speed to make recovery tackles. There is a theory, though, that with Chelsea looking to sign three new centre-backs this summer – following the double departure of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen – that Colwill's development route will be blocked.
Chelsea are closing in on the signing of Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli after the two clubs reached an agreement of around £33.8million for the Senegal international. The 31-year-old has already agreed personal terms and is expected to join his new teammates very soon in America.
Meanwhile, Presnel Kimpembe has been identified as a target for the Blues, who have recently entered talks with Paris Saint-Germain to sign the France international, a source has told football.london. Nathan Ake, however, looks set to stay at Manchester City despite Chelsea's determination to re-sign the Dutchman. It could be a case of re-visiting deals to sign Jules Kounde or Matthijs de Ligt for Chelsea now, but that remains to be seen.
Regardless of who the club sign, it will impact Colwill in some shape or form. It could be positive, perhaps Koulibaly can act as some sort of role model to the teenage defender, or it could block his development. Tuchel knows the club have to get this right.
"You always need to find the balance between protecting the path for the guys from the academy and for being able to win," the Chelsea head coach said. "It also doesn't help a young player just to rely on him, and he can't deliver in the first weeks the level that we expect from him, and the fans expect. That would help nobody.
"Trevoh came here as a loan player, and I didn't know him very well, but he stepped up after five or six weeks of pre-season and was reliable. It's in the players' hands – I will never judge somebody because of age or because he is from the academy or from a fantastic club in Europe. That does not matter.
"They are responsible for their career, and of course, if we can sign somebody that guarantees a higher quality at the moment, this is the way that young guys learn from these signings. Or if we think it's better to be on loan, then this is the way."
It's a big summer in Colwill's career. He is not short of admirers, with numerous Premier League sides and clubs from across Europe keeping a close eye on the teenager's situation at Stamford Bridge.
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