BREAKING: Chelsea Get MASSIVE Injury Boost as Maresca’s SHOCK Plan Set to Change EVERYTHING!
Levi Colwill’s Heavy Workload and the Importance of Badiashile’s Return
Levi Colwill has been a key figure for Chelsea this season, logging significant playing time. Among those eagerly awaiting Benoît Badiashile’s return to action, Colwill is likely near the top of the list. With Chelsea set to resume their European campaign on Thursday nights, seeing Badiashile back in full training is a welcome boost.
The French defender has been sidelined for over three months due to a hamstring injury, and much has changed in his absence. The last time he played, he was repositioned at halftime during Chelsea’s 4-3 comeback win over Tottenham, after a difficult opening 45 minutes. Since then, the team has struggled for consistency, making his return even more crucial.
Badiashile has been training individually at Cobham for several weeks, but he has now rejoined full team sessions as he nears his return. His comeback comes at a pivotal time for Chelsea and manager Enzo Maresca. The squad’s depth has been tested following key departures in January, particularly in the defensive department.
Colwill’s Role in Chelsea’s European Campaign
Despite Chelsea’s participation in the Conference League this season, Colwill has yet to make his European debut for the club. Maresca opted to rest and protect key first-team players during the group stage, meaning Colwill was left unused. However, with defensive options now limited due to the exits of Renato Veiga and Axel Disasi, as well as Wesley Fofana’s absence from the knockout squad, Colwill is one of the few fit center-backs available.
Trevoh Chalobah remains sidelined, and while Badiashile is on the verge of a return, he may not be ready for immediate action. Ishe Samuels-Smith is the closest academy prospect capable of stepping up, though he has yet to make his senior debut. With these challenges in mind, Maresca must decide how to manage Colwill’s workload.
A Season of Heavy Responsibility
Colwill has had an intense season, playing a crucial role in Chelsea’s backline. At just 22 years old, he has taken on a leadership role within the squad, particularly in the absence of Reece James and Chalobah. Despite his young age, he has had to shoulder significant responsibility, especially with Chelsea’s defensive structure offering minimal protection beyond Moisés Caicedo.
Although Tosin Adarabioyo has been a useful addition, he has not represented a significant improvement over Chalobah, leaving Colwill as the senior figure in an evolving backline. Remarkably, despite being the youngest of Chelsea’s key defenders, Colwill has played more minutes than most of them. Players like Marc Cucurella (26), Adarabioyo (27), Chalobah (25), James (25), and Fofana (24) all have more experience, yet Colwill has been the mainstay.
In Chelsea’s 27 league matches so far, he has missed only two—one due to injury and the other as a precaution. When available, he has played every minute, already surpassing last season’s total minutes by 500. If he continues at this pace, he will accumulate more minutes than in the previous two seasons combined, exceeding the career-high he set during his loan spell at Huddersfield Town in 2021/22.
Managing Fatigue and Maintaining Performance
Despite his impressive performances, the heavy workload has led to occasional errors in positioning, passing, and aerial duels—understandable for a young defender still developing at the highest level. Chelsea’s strategy of relying on young talent comes with the expectation of growing pains, and Colwill’s season has reflected both his potential and the challenges of rapid development.
That said, he remains Chelsea’s best progressive passer among defenders and is highly composed on the ball. His attributes have not gone unnoticed, and he could soon be on England manager Thomas Tuchel’s radar. The return of Badiashile provides much-needed depth, allowing Colwill the chance for some rest.
If Badiashile is available for the upcoming match in Denmark, it could give Colwill a valuable opportunity to recharge ahead of key fixtures against Leicester City and Arsenal. While Conference League games offer a less demanding challenge, Maresca must prioritize keeping his defensive leader fit for Chelsea’s bigger domestic tests.
