The Chelsea teen could be the ideal successor for Joe Gomez.
Liverpool has spent the most of their summer transfer window updating their midfield reconstruction ahead of next season, and Jurgen Klopp will be pleased with the results.
Following the departures of Naby Keita, James Milner, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai have joined the Merseyside giants to leave their mark on the next generation of success at Anfield.
While correcting the obvious deficiencies in the center of the pitch has been the German coach’s top focus, there is surely a lot of chatter surrounding a potential move for a center-back this summer as well.
Joel Matip is in the final year of his contract with the club, while Virgil van Dijk had his 32nd birthday yesterday, signaling the end of his career. As a result, there will undoubtedly be talk about a potential hunt for worthy individuals to join Ibrahima Konate in the defensive set up’s future.
Liverpool have been linked with a number of centre-backs in recent weeks, with Josko Gvardiol, Micky van de Ven, Marc Guehi, and Perr Schuurs all mentioned as prospective additions.
However, one player who has been making headlines this week is Chelsea star Levi Colwill, who is the latest defender to be linked with a move to Merseyside and might be a wonderful replacement for Joe Gomez.
Levi Colwill, how excellent is he?
The left-footed defender enjoyed an unbelievable weekend after helping England win the U21 European Championships last night, the first time the country’s youth squad has won the competition in 39 years.
England defeated Spain 1-0 in the final, and Colwill was a key member of the defense unit that didn’t allow a single goal throughout the tournament.
In five games for England U21s, the 20-year-old tallied an incredible 91% pass completion rate and won a stunning 71% of his duels, indicating that he was not only adept with the ball at his feet, but also excellent physically.
Despite thriving and graduating from Chelsea’s infamous Cobham academy, Colwill has yet to make a Premier League start for the West London club, but he has demonstrated his appealing qualities and huge talent while on loan with both Huddersfield Town and, more recently, Brighton and Hove Albion last season.
Joe Gomez is still a rotation option for Liverpool, but he is rarely trusted to lead the backline when Konate, Matip, and Van Dijk are available, leading to rumours that the Reds may be willing to move the centre-back this summer.
As a result, the arrival of Colwill – for whom Brighton are apparently considering a £40 million bid – might not only provide Klopp with a good replacement for Gomez, allowing him to be sold without fear, but it could also push Van Dijk for the left-sided job and eventually be his successor.
According to FBref, when comparing Colwill’s output last season to Gomez’s, the Chelsea rising star outperformed his Liverpool position competitor in a number of key defensive attributes such as pass completion (88.3% v 85.2%), successful take-ons (100% v 80%), and aerial duels won (71.4% v 54.8%).
The English behemoth – who football talent scout Jacek Kulig described as “outrageous” and a “top talent” – is a terrific potential, and his ball-winning abilities would suit Klopp’s recipe for success well; nevertheless, it remains to be seen whether Chelsea will part ways with their treasured possession.
That being said, it would take something truly extraordinary for the London club to sanction a move away for Colwill this summer, but if Liverpool can acquire his services, it will definitely set up the defensive presence for many years to come.