Should the new Chelsea owners look to kick-off a new era at Stamford Bridge with their own John Terry then Thomas Tuchel must learn from Frank Lampard's management of Fikayo Tomori. It is expected that Levi Colwill, who has been likened to the former Blues captain, is set to be integrated into the German's first-team upon his return from loan in the summer, according to Goal.
The 19-year-old has impressed at Huddersfield Town this season, establishing himself as one of the best centre-backs in the Championship. Colwill's dazzling displays have made him the latest Chelsea player to rank among the world's best youngsters in the NXGN awards, which has earned the attention of Leicester City, as per The Athletic.
This season, Cobham's latest star has featured 24 times for the Terriers, guiding them to within six points of automatic promotion into the Premier League. Colwill has predominantly operated on the left of a back-three at the John Smith's Stadium, enjoying much of his success threading passes through into his midfielders, winning aerial duels and defending with wisdom beyond his years.
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Following Goal's report, which suggests that the young defender will be inducted into Tuchel's side next season, the Chelsea boss must use Lampard's management of Tomori as a template of how not to incorporate Colwill. Tomori, who had spent a season in the Championship under similar circumstances to his Cobham counterpart, enjoyed a series of promising displays for the Blues before being sidelined.
The youngster fell out of favour and was eventually shipped out on loan to AC Milan. A deal was agreed days before Tuchel took the helm. After impressing, the Italian giants took up the option to buy with the clause included in the loan deal.
Paolo Maldini, the Rossoneri technical director, wooed Tomori, luring him to the San Siro. The alarm bells rang as one of the sport's greatest defenders went out of his way to win the 24-year-old's signature, but a mere £24m deal was still sanctioned.
"When he was speaking to me, I was like: 'this is Paulo Maldini!'," said Tomori. "'He is at the training ground every day, so as a defender, I want to impress him.
"Midway through my loan, last season, we had a chat last season and were talking about my game. He told me what I need to improve and he is really engaging. When he says something, you are going to listen. It is definitely a nice thing to have him around, and he has been a big help."
Chelsea have since been left to rue their decision to let Tomori go — a player who would've been a right-sided version of Antonio Rudiger and the perfect option for Tuchel. The Blues must use the lesson that Tomori taught them to pave a clear route into the first-team for Colwill, else Chelsea's next owners risk losing a major piece of the club's future.
