Fabrizio Romano: Everton ‘really keen’ on Levi Colwill, wants games as Chelsea chase defenders
Everton are “really keen” on Levi Colwill who could be looking for a move if Chelsea continue to sign players in his position, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The young defender is one of a number of Chelsea youngsters who have been linked to the Toffees this summer, and one that former captain Kevin Campbell has told Goodison News he could see happening.
After a strong season on loan at Huddersfield, coupled with his parent club losing Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen on free transfers, he may have been expecting an opportunity, but Todd Boehly has already signed Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli, tried to sign Nathan Ake from Manchester City, and is currently chasing Sevilla’s Jules Kounde and Paris Saint-Germain’s Presnel Kimpembe, so the 19-year-old could be forced to look elsewhere.
Speaking on his YouTube channel on Monday night (18 July) Romano said: “If Chelsea will sign three centre-backs this summer Koulibaly already signed, and we already said Kimpembe, Kounde, but many other players in the market, keep an eye on the situation [at] Chelsea with Colwill because the player wants to have game time and many clubs are interested including Everton and Southampton.
“Both really keen on this guy.”
Waiting
With the collapse of the Stamford Bridge club’s pursuit of Ake it looked like the chances of Everton snapping up Colwill might have gone.
But they are clearly not ready to rely on him so it looks like he could still very much be an option, and Frank Lampard should stand a decent chance if he makes an approach.
However, that was expected to be the case with fellow youngster Armando Broja, who was given his Premier League debut at Chelsea by the now Toffees boss.
That ship hasn’t entirely sailed but he looks to be edging towards West Ham, so it is no given that Lampard can be successful.
It would not be the first time that they have overlooked a homegrown talent in west London in favour of a high-priced signing to their detriment, and Everton would love to be the beneficiaries if they do so again.
But with James Tarkowski already brought in on a free and other areas of the squad to strengthen the manager will have to weigh up how much he would be willing to spend on another centre-back.
The defence certainly needed plenty of help during the relegation-threatened 2021/22 season, but midfield and attack also need work and have so far only been weakened by exits.
Colwill, without Premier League experience, would be more of a risk, but should cost less than the £30million Broja price-tag.
Southampton also have a reputation for fostering young Chelsea talent, with the Albanian doing well on loan and Tino Livramento moving to St. Mary’s permanently, so the Toffees could have yet another fight on their hands in this window.