Football Insider exclusive as Chelsea defender Levi Colwill is in action, while manager Xabi Alonso watches from a circular inset.
Football Insider exclusive as Chelsea defender Levi Colwill is in action, while manager Xabi Alonso watches from a circular inset.
Chelsea are hoping to tie centre-back Levi Colwill down to a new long-term contract, sources have told Football Insider.
The 23-year-old has developed through the academy ranks at Stamford Bridge, and is now attracting interest from Barcelona ahead of the January window.
However, the Blues are hoping to engage in talks with the defender over a new deal, and are not keen to risk losing him in the middle of a campaign.
Sources say that Chelsea are hopeful that a new contract would fend off the interest from Barcelona for good over the coming years.
Colwill is already tied down with his boyhood club until the summer of 2029, but Chelsea want to extend that further.
The England international has already started nine Premier League games this season, and has quickly become a key figure for Xabi Alonso.
Xabi Alonso determined to keep Levi Colwill
Colwill has had his progress stunted a little in recent seasons, with a serious injury limiting him to just nine competitive appearances last term.
However, he has been back to his best of late, and has quickly won Alonso over after his arrival as manager in the summer.
A new boss coming into a club can often mean a shake-up in the playing squad, but Colwill has been able to retain his place as one of Chelsea’s most important defenders.
The West London outfit are not surprised by the Barcelona interest, but equally have no intention of losing the youngster any time soon.
Alonso is determined to keep hold of Colwill long-term, and the club are prepared to back him up in that stance by making plans for new contract talks.
Chelsea fighting growing Josh Acheampong interest
Former Tottenham scout Bryan King told Football Insider last week that Chelsea defender Josh Acheampong is on the radar of several other Premier League clubs at the moment.
The ex-recruitment man believes that the Blues are also likely to try and tie the 20-year-old down to a new deal at the start of 2027.
King outlined that Acheampong’s versatility is of huge interest to clubs across the Premier League, who view him as a top talent with the potential to become an elite defender.
The starlet has broken into the starting XI on a regular basis of late, and is only growing his reputation with every passing game at the moment.