There is little doubt that Chelsea currently lacks full backs. Reece James is still recovering from an injury and is suspended for the game against Burnley, while Ben Chilwell’s injury against AFC Wimbledon could keep him out until December. Malo Gusto is still suspended for that game.
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Recent seasons’ success for Chelsea has frequently seemed to be hindered by problems involving both Chilwell and James, two essential components of the Blues’ tactics. Chelsea hasn’t had a lot of luck this season, but everyone of their assists in the Premier League have come from the full back position. Gusto has already scored twice this season, and Chilwell also had a hand in a Chelsea goal.
The former Leicester City defender will be missed by the Blues, who are now without both their captain and vice captain, but he has only occasionally played in that role. Since Mauricio Pochettino has had no shortage of injuries so far this season, Chilwell was forced to showcase his skills from a more advanced flank position and wasn’t always the first choice on the left side of defence.
Levi Colwill has been given that distinction for the most majority of the time this season, and he has also contributed an assist with a very skillfully completed pass through to Mykhailo Mudryk against Fulham. Pochettino has been pleased to see Colwill maintain this position.
Earlier this month, he stated: “I think it’s about balance and I am satisfied with him because he does really nice things at the moment. When you have an offensive player in front sometimes you don’t need another full back who can go and attack. We can always make changes in football, and we are pleased that he is playing there.
There had been calls for Chilwell to move back to the left side of defence and for Colwill to play more frequently in the centre due to Chelsea’s troubles in front of goal. The victory over Brighton provided a rare opportunity to observe that lineup, and Pochettino now needs to adjust to living without Chilwell for an extended length of time, just like Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter before him.
Pochettino’s options are limited as a result of injuries. Given Colwill’s positioning and the absence of Trevoh Chalobah, Benoit Badiashile, and Wesley Fofana, Axel Disasi and Thiago Silva’s duties are now very clear. When evaluating his rotation and pecking order after Badiashile returns, the 51-year-old head coach may find it easier to choose to play Colwill out wide.
Following the victory over Fulham, the Blues manager encouraged patience and expressed optimism that Mudryk will be fit for the weekend despite being forced to miss the match due to injury. Colwill and Mudryk have proven themselves in practise, but earlier in the season few people outside the club were convinced.
Pochettino’s options are limited as a result of injuries. Given Colwill’s positioning and the absence of Trevoh Chalobah, Benoit Badiashile, and Wesley Fofana, Axel Disasi and Thiago Silva’s duties are now very clear. When evaluating his rotation and pecking order after Badiashile returns, the 51-year-old head coach may find it easier to choose to play Colwill out wide.
Following the victory over Fulham, the Blues manager encouraged patience and expressed optimism that Mudryk will be fit for the weekend despite being forced to miss the match due to injury. Colwill and Mudryk have proven themselves in practise, but earlier in the season few people outside the club were convinced.
Colwill, who is regarded as one of the stars of Chelsea’s season in a role no one anticipated before the season, may be beginning to change that. William Gallas is eager to watch the left flank of the West London team grow.
He said: “He had a great game for Chelsea against Fulham. He’s a young player that is improving with every match. Physically, he is very strong and against Fulham he showed his technical quality with the assist for Mudryk, which is a part of his game that is also good. That was a quality ball for Mudryk’s goal. I’m confident that the relationship between Colwill and Mudryk will become stronger and stronger in the future. They have to keep playing more games with each other to keep building that relationship and understanding, but that is one part of this team that looks like it will give opponents problems. Mudryk is so fast. He makes everything look easy and plays the game at a tremendous pace. Maybe he needs to be a little bit more patient when he plays his final ball.”
With Chilwell’s talent at their disposal, Chelsea are unquestionably a superior squad, but recent weeks have helped the team adjust to life without him. While Conor Gallagher has established himself as an important member of Chelsea’s starting lineup in 2023/24 and has not shied away from the captain’s role, Colwill has demonstrated his ability to fill in on the left and has grown in offensive threat as the weeks have gone by.
