Levi Colwill has been an essential player for Chelsea this season, taking on a significant workload in the absence of key defenders. With Chelsea preparing to resume their European campaign on Thursday nights, the return of Benoît Badiashile comes as a timely boost. The French defender has been out for over three months due to a hamstring injury, and his recovery could not have come at a better time for Colwill, who has been bearing the brunt of Chelsea’s defensive duties.
Badiashile’s last appearance for Chelsea was during their 4-3 comeback victory over Tottenham, where he was repositioned at halftime after a challenging first half. Since then, Chelsea’s defensive lineup has struggled for consistency, making his return even more critical. Badiashile has been undergoing individual training at Cobham for several weeks and has now rejoined full team sessions, signaling that he is close to making his comeback. His return is crucial for manager Enzo Maresca, especially given the defensive challenges Chelsea has faced following several key departures in January.
Despite Chelsea’s involvement in the Conference League, Colwill has yet to make his European debut for the club. Maresca’s decision to rest key players during the group stage left Colwill unused. However, with defensive resources stretched thin due to the exits of Renato Veiga and Axel Disasi, as well as Wesley Fofana’s exclusion from the knockout squad, Colwill is now one of the few fit center-backs available. Trevoh Chalobah’s continued absence only adds to Chelsea’s defensive woes. While Badiashile’s return is promising, he may not be ready for immediate action, and Ishe Samuels-Smith, the closest academy prospect, has yet to make his senior debut. This situation leaves Maresca with the difficult task of managing Colwill’s playing time carefully.
At just 22 years old, Colwill has taken on a significant leadership role within Chelsea’s defense, especially in the absence of experienced players like Reece James and Chalobah. Despite his young age, Colwill has played more minutes this season than any of Chelsea’s other main defenders, including Marc Cucurella, Tosin Adarabioyo, and Wesley Fofana. His presence has been a mainstay in a backline that has often lacked stability and protection beyond Moisés Caicedo. Although Tosin Adarabioyo has been a useful addition, he has not provided a substantial upgrade over Chalobah, leaving Colwill to shoulder much of the defensive responsibility.
The demanding schedule has taken its toll on Colwill, leading to occasional mistakes in positioning, passing, and aerial duels—errors that are understandable for a young defender still adjusting to the highest level of competition. However, Colwill’s ability to progress the ball and his composure under pressure have been standout aspects of his game. His performances have not gone unnoticed, and a call-up to the England squad under manager Thomas Tuchel could soon be on the horizon.
The return of Badiashile offers much-needed depth and could provide Colwill with the opportunity to rest and recover ahead of crucial fixtures against Leicester City and Arsenal. While the Conference League presents a less intense challenge, Maresca’s priority will be to manage Colwill’s workload effectively to ensure he remains fit and in top form for Chelsea’s more demanding domestic tests.
