Levi Colwill
CHEEngland
Left
Feb 26, 2003
23
6'2"
183 lb
CB
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Back Line Anchor
ChelseaMakes first start of season
Colwill (knee) makes his first Premier League start of the season for Saturday's clash against Liverpool, marking a significant milestone in his return from the serious knee injury he sustained in pre-season, the club posted.
Analysis: Colwill had been working his way back gradually and featured 45 minutes of bench in Monday's clash against Nottingham Forest. After completing a full week of training, coach Calum McFarlane decided to hand him a starting role against one of the league's top sides is a strong vote of confidence in his recovery. The England international's return to the starting lineup is a major boost for Chelsea heading into the final stretch of the season, with the club having managed his comeback carefully to ensure he is fully ready before being thrown into the thick of things.
Feeling good after return
Colwill (knee) has completed a full week of training and could start Saturday's clash against Liverpool, according to coach Calum McFarlane. "Levi has trained a full week with us, and so has Reece, so it's really positive with those two. We've still got another session before facing Liverpool, but both trained fully today and we're hopeful."
Analysis: Colwill's progression to a full week of training is a significant step forward after a lengthy spell on the sidelines following a serious knee injury sustained in pre-season. The England international had already earned a place on the bench in the previous fixture, and a potential starting role against Liverpool would mark a major milestone in his recovery. Manager Calum McFarlane will make a final decision following the last training session before the match, with the signs pointing toward an increasingly prominent role for the center-back in the final fixtures of the campaign.
Bench option Monday
Colwill (knee) is on the bench for Monday's clash against Nottingham.
Analysis: Colwill has been included in the squad after all signs pointed toward a potential return following his participation in full training and recent appearances for Chelsea's U21 side, with the coaching staff rewarding his progression with a place among the substitutes. The defender has been sidelined since pre-season due to a serious knee injury, making his inclusion in the senior matchday squad a significant milestone in what has been a lengthy road back to full fitness.
Could make squad Monday
Colwill (knee) could be in line to make his season debut Monday against Nottingham Forest, according to interim manager Calum McFarlane. "Reece is back in training, and Levi is back in training also," McFarlane stated at his pre-Forest press conference. "Levi has had a long injury and we don't want to push him too much. But both are looking good and potentially they could be [in the squad vs Forest], yes," he added.
Analysis: Colwill has been featuring for Chelsea's U21 side in the last few weeks, and given that he's been participating in full training as well, all signs point to the defender potentially making the squad for Monday. If he doesn't, though, he should still have a shot at playing before the end of the season -- assuming he doesn't have any setbacks. Colwill has been sidelined since pre-season due to a serious knee injury.
Logs 60 minutes for U21s
Colwill (knee) has played 60 minutes with the U-21s and could feature before the end of the season, according to coach Liam Rosenior. "Very hopeful that we'll see him before the end of the season. He played 60 minutes for the Under-21s, and while it was a very low-level game, getting 60 minutes was a really good start for him. We want him to be involved in the next game on Saturday with the Under-21s, and build him up because it's been a really bad injury that he's come back from. His rehab has gone really well and he's trained today."
Analysis: Colwill took a significant step in his recovery from a serious knee injury by logging 60 minutes for the Under-21 side, giving the coaching staff a positive indicator of where his fitness stands. The England international has been sidelined for a lengthy spell this season, making his return to team training and involvement with the youth side an encouraging development. Manger Liam Rosenior stopped short of setting a firm timeline, but his comments suggest the defender is on track to see first-team action before the campaign wraps up. A return to full fitness would bolster Chelsea's defensive options at a critical stage of the season.
Set for U21 minutes
Colwill (knee) will play for the U21 side Friday and is eyeing a return to the senior squad before the end of the season, according to coach Liam Rosenior. "I'm hoping we'll see Levi before the end of the season as Levi is an outstanding player and a leader in the dressing room. 'Levi will play some minutes with the Under-21s tomorrow, which is fantastic for him. When you have a long-term injury, to the extent of Levi's injury, you need a long rehab period. I want to make sure he is 100 per cent right in terms of his match fitness before we consider him for our first team"
Analysis: Colwill (knee) remains unavailable for Saturday's clash against Manchester United as he continues his recovery from a long term knee ligament injury suffered earlier in the season, but he is expected to get minutes with the U21 side Friday. The defender has returned to training in recent weeks but is still not ready to feature, with the staff taking a cautious approach to his reintegration.
Continues to recover
Colwill (knee) is out for Sunday's match against Manchester City, according to manager Liam Rosenior. "Levi is training but still has some hurdles to overcome first."
Analysis: Colwill is still sidelined despite looking to be nearing a return after training this week, not fit enough to give his knee a go yet. This is a rough spell for the defender who tore his ACL in August, seeing a relatively quick recovery but still having yet to play this season. A return could come in August as he continues to recover, although they will not rush him back after such a serious injury.
Nearing return in coming weeks
Colwill (knee) returned to full team training during the break and is closing in on a return to the matchday squad in the coming weeks, according to coach Liam Rosenior. "It's great to have Levi [Colwill] back in full training, but it's going to take him a few more weeks to tick those boxes before he's ready [to feature]."
Analysis: Colwill has been working his way back from the ACL injury he suffered before the season, and completing full training sessions is the final hurdle before a competitive return. The England international has been a major miss for Chelsea all campaign, with Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, Mamadou Sarr and Tosin Adarabioyo all taking turns to cover in his absence. Getting Colwill back into the fold for the final stretch of the season will be a significant boost for coach Rosenior's side, and the signs are now pointing firmly toward that happening sooner rather than later.
Spotted on grass
Colwill (knee) was spotted on grass Tuesday during the preparation of Wednesday's Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain, according to Football London.
Analysis: Colwill took a positive step forward in his recovery from the ACL injury he suffered before the season, as the defender was spotted back on the grass Tuesday while Chelsea prepares for Wednesday's Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain. He is still likely many weeks away from returning to the matchday squad, but seeing him back in outdoor training suggests he could make it back before the end of the season to feature for the Blues. Until then, Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, Mamadou Sarr or Tosin Adarabioyo have been the options to start in central defense under coach Liam Rosenior.
Could return before end of season
Colwill (knee) could return before the end of the campaign, according to manager Liam Rosenior. "Yes, he could [be back before the end of the season,] but it's step by step, and I don't want to make promises that I can't keep. At the moment, Levi's is in a really good place. He's on the right track, but I don't want to put pressure on him. I spoke to Levi this morning. He's working so hard, and what a professional he is. It's been brilliant to see him back on the pitch running. He's itching to get back, but we need to make sure he feels 100 per cent perfect."
Analysis: Colwill is receiving a great update this week as he sees an update from his ACL surgery that took place in August, with the manager giving the defender a chance of featuring to end the season. This comes after he has yet to appear this season, with the injury happening right before the start of the campaign, a rough break. He would only be able to be used in a small capacity if he is fit, although that is still far away, and he needs months of rehab before returning
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