Chelsea can’t afford to repeat Tomori error with academy star
Robin Bairner
- 1 Oct 2022 08:30 CDT
- 3 min read
Chelsea allowed Fikayo Tomori to leave for AC Milan in 2021 and face a battle to prevent Levi Colwill from following his fellow academy graduate to Serie A.
According to reports in Italy, Colwill is being tracked by Milan, Napoli and Atalanta, doubtless fuelled by the success of Tomori.
At 19, Colwill is regarded as one of the brightest talents in the Blues’ academy. He spent last season on loan at Huddersfield and was sent to Brighton before the beginning of this season.
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Although the teenager has struggled to impose himself on the south coast – he has played only two matches – it would be reckless for Chelsea to allowed him to depart as easily as Tomori.
Indeed, the logic behind Tomori’s departure was solid. He was already 23 years old and since graduating to Chelsea’s first team in 2016, he had made only 17 appearances.
Since then, the Canada-born player has gone on to shine for the Rossoneri, who grabbed a bargain when they signed him for just €28.5m. Over the course of the last year, his FootballTransfers value has jumped to €38m, underscoring just how successful the move has been. Already Milan have acted to ensure his contract is extended to 2027.
Why Chelsea won't sell Colwill
There is evidence to suggest that Chelsea will not be hasty to send Colwill, who also plays centre-back, on a similar trajectory.
For a start, he is three years younger than Tomori was when he departed, giving him plenty more time to impose himself.
Secondly, Graham Potter has already proven that he is a fan of the player when signing him while still Brighton manager. That Cowill was rarely used should not be taken as a slight; it is unfair to expect a young centre-back to be hastened into action just days after arriving at a Premier League club.
Finally, Chelsea will look at the Tomori case when assessing what to do with Colwill. They got that one wrong, and they will not wish to make the same error. If the teenager goes, it will surely be after getting a more extensive chance.
