Defender could be next Thiago Silva at Chelsea after impressing Mauricio Pochettino
Chelsea already have a defender who’s a more progressive passer than Thiago Silva
Thiago Silva still ranks as one of the Premier League’s best when it comes to defending, but he’s been outdone in one area this season by Chelsea youngster Levi Colwill.
Statisticians OptaJoe have shared on Twitter the central defenders with the most progressive passes per 90 minutes in the Premier League during the 2022/23 campaign, which includes Thiago Silva in fifth. The 38-year-old Blues centre-back finished with an average of 3.7 per game.
However, Chelsea-owned youngster Levi Colwill is the leading centre-half with a division-best tally of 4.8 progressive passes per 90 minutes.
Colwill, who’s just 20, has shown his ability and passing range during a successful season-long loan at Brighton this year.
It’s statistics like this that make every Chelsea supporter very excited about him returning to the club this summer for pre-season.
Silva is still one of the elite defenders in the Premier League even at his age, which is why he took home a double prize as Chelsea’s player of the season in awards voted for by both fans and teammates.
It’s always been a big strength of his when he plays out from the back and dictates from deep. Therefore, you’ve got to sit up and take notice when a youngster eclipses his numbers in passing up the pitch.
Colwill is a product of the Chelsea academy that is yet to make a first-team debut for the Blues, but his reputation has soared during two loans in the past two years.
Surely, the left-footed defender is now going to get his chance at Stamford Bridge!
The Evening Standard recently claimed that new Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino is already impressed by Colwill as a player.
Colwill looks the definition of a modern ball-playing defender when you watch him play. He’s now got a stat to back that up, too.
He’s looked at home whenever used in the Brighton line-up, so we want to see him involved around the main group at Stamford Bridge next season.