{"id":5680,"date":"2026-05-08T04:03:38","date_gmt":"2026-05-08T04:03:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=5680"},"modified":"2026-05-08T04:03:38","modified_gmt":"2026-05-08T04:03:38","slug":"chelsea-think-they-now-have-another-player-whos-suddenly-going-to-step-up-as-a-leader","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=5680","title":{"rendered":"Chelsea think they now have another player who\u2019s suddenly going to step up as a leader"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"post-367009\">\n<div class=\"article-follow\">\n<div class=\"article-sharing google-follow\">  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"28\" height=\"28\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thechelseachronicle.com\/wp-content\/themes\/grv-media\/img\/google-discover.svg\" alt=\"\"\/> <span>Add as preferred source on Google<\/span>  <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>Chelsea are desperately lacking in leadership figures in their first team squad, although they hope that Levi Colwill will step up to the plate when he is a regular again next season.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A frequent criticism of Behdad Eghbali and co is that in building a young squad, they have forgotten that experience and leadership is required for tough moments.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-grvmedia-grv-video GRVMultiVideo\"\/>\n<p>The Blues are in the middle of one of those difficult scenarios, losing six consecutive Premier League games and seeing manager Liam Rosenior sacked.<\/p>\n<section class=\"grv-talking-point\" data-trigger=\"vue-sidebar-poll\" data-story-id=\"0014d213-24cc-415e-a559-10d6a8ddd9a0\" data-story-name=\"2025\/26 Season\" data-comment-id=\"dd7fa312-cbfa-46ab-9a6f-dc0674367658\" data-story-slug=\"2025-26-season\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__inner\">\n<header class=\"grv-talking-point__header\">  <\/header>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__content\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__cta\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__title-wrap\">\n<p><h3 class=\"grv-talking-point__title\">QUARTER-FINAL TWO: Enzo Fernandez vs Cole Palmer?<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__embed\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 991px) 100vw, 800px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/TCC-Polls-13-819x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-366965\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/TCC-Polls-13-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/TCC-Polls-13-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/TCC-Polls-13-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/TCC-Polls-13-912x1140.jpg 912w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/TCC-Polls-13-600x750.jpg 600w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/TCC-Polls-13.jpg 1080w\"\/><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-chelsea-expect-levi-colwill-to-become-a-leader\">Chelsea expect Levi Colwill to become a leader<\/h2>\n<p>The only positive of the recent defeat was the return of Levi Colwill, who came off the bench at half-time for his first appearance of the season against Nottingham Forest.<\/p>\n<p>Chelsea\u2019s poor defensive displays have often been somewhat excused because the England international has not been available, and the hope is things will drastically improve next season.<\/p>\n<p>The club are also hopeful that his influence on the rest of the squad will improve performances on the pitch too.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-getty-images-media\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 991px) 100vw, 800px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-2274475655-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"Chelsea v Nottingham Forest - Premier League\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-2274475655-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-2274475655-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-2274475655-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-2274475655-1536x1023.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-2274475655-1140x760.jpg 1140w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-2274475655-750x500.jpg 750w\"\/><\/div><figcaption title=\"LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 04: Levi Colwill of Chelsea acknowledges the fans after the Premier League match between Chelsea and Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge on May 04, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC\/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)\">Photo by Chris Lee \u2013 Chelsea FC\/Chelsea FC via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Matt Law has stated that Chelsea are hopeful that Colwill will step up as one of the club\u2019s leaders when he is playing regularly again.<\/p>\n<p>He told the London is Blue Podcast: \u201cI think this, and I\u2019ve spoken to people at the club and I think there is some hope on Levi around that (him becoming a leader).<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDo you remember the back end of last season when they got over the line in the Champions League? Levi was huge in that run. Did he even score the clinching goal at Forest?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cLevi really stood up. And I\u2019ve also got that image of him at the Club World Cup with the flag draped around his shoulders. And again, he had a very good Club World Cup.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe\u2019s not going to be able to do it on his own. He\u2019s been out a long time and he\u2019s a relatively young man. But Levi, I know there\u2019s hope that Levi will help on that score. And I genuinely believe that Levi from what I hear about him will help on that score.\u201d<\/p>\n<section class=\"grv-talking-point\" data-trigger=\"vue-sidebar\" data-story-id=\"0014d213-24cc-415e-a559-10d6a8ddd9a0\" data-story-name=\"2025\/26 Season\" data-comment-id=\"97a5cc94-5a11-468d-89c6-80dc32e0e860\" data-story-slug=\"2025-26-season\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__inner\">\n<header class=\"grv-talking-point__header\">  <\/header>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__content\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__cta\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__title-wrap\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__title-content\">\n<h3 class=\"grv-talking-point__title\">Predict Chelsea\u2019s final four 2025\/2026 results \ud83d\ude2c<\/h3>\n<p class=\"grv-talking-point__subtitle\">Will we win a game?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__embed\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 991px) 100vw, 800px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/latest-minutes-1-819x1024.png\" alt=\"Chelsea's next four Premier League fixtures\" class=\"wp-image-366550\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/latest-minutes-1-819x1024.png 819w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/latest-minutes-1-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/latest-minutes-1-768x960.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/latest-minutes-1-912x1140.png 912w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/latest-minutes-1-600x750.png 600w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/latest-minutes-1.png 1080w\"\/><\/div><figcaption title=\"LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 04: Calum McFarlane, Interim Manager of Chelsea, is dejected during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge on May 04, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield\/Getty Images)\">Photo by Justin Setterfield\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-chelsea-need-a-new-partner-for-colwill\">Chelsea need a new partner for Colwill<\/h2>\n<p>The Blues are clearly building their defence around the academy graduate, however need reinforcements in the summer.<\/p>\n<p>Trevoh Chalobah and Tosin Adarabioyo have proven they are not good enough, struggling greatly together in their last game against Forest.<\/p>\n<p>Despite supporters being big fans, there seems to be no appetite to hand Josh Acheampong more responsibility anytime soon.<\/p>\n<p>Jorrel Hato has shown promise, however suffers from the fact he would prefer to play on the side of defence which Colwill will want to.<\/p>\n<div class=\"see-more-wrapper lazy see-more-open see-more-blank extra-content\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.thechelseachronicle.com\/news\/chelsea-think-they-now-have-another-player-whos-suddenly-going-to-step-up-as-a-leader\/none\" data-type=\"subscribe\">\n<div class=\"see-more subscribe\">\n<figure class=\"newsletter\">\n<div><svg class=\"loading\" width=\"118\" height=\"36\" viewbox=\"0 0 118 36\"><use href=\"#dots-svg\"\/><\/svg><\/p>\n<div class=\"signup\"><span class=\"hf\">Join Our Newsletter<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><script>grvLoadAnalytics = () => {(function(d,s,i){var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)(0),j=d.createElement(s);j.async=true;j.src=\"https:\/\/www.googletagmanager.com\/gtag\/js?id=\"+i;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(document,'script','G-E7VRWQHDP6');(function(d,s,i){if(!\/callback=in\/.test(window.location.search)){var e=d.createElement(s);var n=d.getElementsByTagName(s)(0);e.type=\"text\/javascript\";e.async=true;e.src=\"https:\/\/static.chartbeat.com\/js\/chartbeat.js\";n.parentNode.insertBefore(e,n);}})(document,\"script\",\"G-E7VRWQHDP6\");(function(){let s=document.createElement(\"script\");s.async=true;s.dataset.domain=\"thechelseachronicle.com\/MFj4XQ\";s.src=\"https:\/\/api.publytics.net\/js\/script.manual.ping.min.js\";document.getElementsByTagName(\"head\")(0).appendChild(s);})();if(!\/callback=in\/.test(window.location.search)){setTimeout(function(){!function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s){if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod?n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';n.queue=();t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)(0);s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window,document,'script','https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/fbevents.js');fbq('init','663509325503632');fbq('track','PageView');fbq('track','ViewContent',{content_name:'Chelsea think they now have another player who\u2019s suddenly going to step up as a leader',content_category:'News',content_ids:(367009,\"levi-colwill\"),content_type:'post',});},3000);}}<\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Add as preferred source on Google Chelsea are desperately lacking in leadership figures in their&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5681,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5680","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-chelsea"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5680","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5680"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5680\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/5681"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5680"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5680"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5680"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}