Liverpool are reportedly still trying to sign Chelsea centre-back Levi Colwill this summer, but it is a move that will be difficult to come to fruition.
It would be a surprise if the Reds didn’t bring in a new central defender in the coming weeks, having had problems there during the 2022/23 season.
Virgil van Dijk fell well below the world-class levels that he has shown for such a prolonged period, while both Joel Matip and Joe Gomez were too often in disappointing form.
A number of players have been linked with strengthening Liverpool’s centre-back option, including Goncalo Inacio and Marc Guehi, but Colwill has arguably emerged as Jurgen Klopp’s preferred candidate.
The 20-year-old is currently representing Englands Under-21s at the European Championships, helping them reach the final of the competition against Spain Under-21s this weekend, following some influential performances.
Last season, Colwill was loaned out to Brighton, in order to enjoy more regular football, starting 13 Premier League matches, including in the 3-0 victory at home to Liverpool.
It remains to be seen how Mauricio Pochettino plans to use the Englishman at Chelsea in 2023/24, but it seems clear that the player himself is weighing up his options.
Taking to Twitter, football.london journalist Bobby Vincent provided an update on the Colwill situation, admitting that Liverpool are still eyeing a move for him in the current transfer window:
“Liverpool have once again asked about Levi Colwill’s situation. Chelsea’s stance is the same: he is not for sale. 20yo is seeking assurance over first-team football next season. Mauricio Pochettino excited to work with him.”
Our thoughts on Liverpool’s interest in Colwill…
Colwill clearly wouldn’t come on the cheap, and would instead likely cost a huge amount of money, but he is someone who could be a future England starter and he could be worth every penny over time.
Given the fact that he is left-footed, he could be the perfect option, in terms of balance and as a backup to Van Dijk, and he could also slot in at left-back in place of Andy Robertson, should Klopp opt to use him that way.
Players of Colwill’s quality and potential don’t come around too often, and while Chelsea are clearly going to make it extremely hard for him to leave this summer, Liverpool should do all they can to snap him up.
With Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai already added to the squad, the Reds have sorted their midfield for the future – now it’s case of finding a long-term partner for Ibrahima Konate at the back, with Colwill the ideal solution.
