Chelsea have their academy to thank following the first team’s 1-0 victory against Nottingham Forest over the weekend.
It was Levi Colwill who scored the winning goal, a product of Chelsea’s famous academy. However, the central defender did more than that.
Colwill and the rest of the backline defended well, and the 22-year-old has since given the club’s academy some credit for his display.
At one stage during the game, Colwill was not too happy with Robert Sanchez, but everything worked out for the Blues in the end.
Levi Colwill learnt to fight in Chelsea’s academy
Colwill made WhoScored’s Team of the Week after an excellent performance at the City Ground.
The English youngster and his teammates had to dig deep to secure the three points, and it was Chelsea‘s academy that taught him how to fight.
“What I got taught in the academy is to fight,” Colwill told Chelsea’s official website after the game. “You have to fight to be the best and that’s what me and the team have been doing, the back four and the whole team to try and get these clean sheets to win.
“We’ve ridden it out and we’ve ground the whole season for the fans. We hope they’re happy and now they get to see Champions League next season!”
On the day, Colwill and Tosin Adarabioyo had to come up against Chris Wood, a man who had scored 20 goals in the Premier League this season.
However, both players handled him well and dealt with Forest’s attacks superbly. They fully deserved their clean sheet.
| Levi Colwill vs Nottingham Forest | Total |
| Minutes | 90 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Clearances | 6 |
| Interceptions | 1 |
| Dribbled past | 0 |
| Aerial duels (won) | 3 (3) |
Before the match, it was claimed that there was a possibility of Chelsea selling Colwill if the club failed to qualify for the Champions League. But the England international will not be going anywhere now.
In the past, Colwill has been linked to Liverpool. However, Chelsea allowing arguably their best defender to join one of their Premier League rivals seems very unlikely.
Micah Richards thinks Levi Colwill is improving
Earlier in the season, Colwill did come in for some criticism. Gary Neville was very critical of Colwill’s defending in one game against Brighton & Hove Albion, for example.
Colwill impressed Micah Richards with his display at the City Ground, though, with the former Manchester City star feeling that he is improving.
When Richards discussed Colwill after the match, he said: “He really is [improving] defensively, but today to get the goal that takes them into the Champions League is brilliant.”
Colwill obviously has a lot of potential. It is scary to imagine how good he will be once he reaches his mid-20s.
