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Chelsea find 'new dressing room leader' in 20-year-old as Thiago Silva fears eased
Chelsea have a ready-made replacement for Thiago Silva's leadership skills when the defender leaves.
Chelsea starlet Levi Colwill has already established himself among the club’s leadership group despite his tender age, it has been claimed. The 20-year-old is reportedly considered to have emerged as an important figure within the dressing room.
Colwill has enjoyed his first full season of senior football at Chelsea this season. He has made 27 appearances this term across all competitions, the joint-most in the Blues squad.
Playing at both left-back and centre-back, he has grown to become highly trusted by head coach Mauricio Pochettino. And he is clearly well respected by his team-mates, too.
According to 90min, Colwill has emerged as a member of the player-led leadership group this season. Chelsea reportedly already believe the England U21 star is a ‘elite defender’.
It eases fears harboured by some that Chelsea will lack leaders when Thiago Silva departs. Silva is one of the strongest personalities in Pochettino’s squad and has vast leadership experience compared to his colleagues.
The Guardian claimed in November that some Chelsea stars had been left bemused after Pochettino snubbed Silva for the captaincy at the start of the season. Members of the squad reportedly believed the Argentine had ‘disrespected’ Silva by not giving him the armband, despite the defender having the role at Paris Saint-Germain and with the Brazil national team.
Pochettino instead opted for Reece James with Ben Chilwell as vice-captain. Conor Gallagher has been nominated as the third captain when the wing-back duo are unavailable.
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Explaining last summer why James had been given the captaincy over Silva, Pochettino said: “I explain the truth like always. For me, it was nominating Reece, I think is the perfect captain of course and then an English player with experience is Chilly.
“And then I think Thiago is because of experience. Today is his birthday, 39, and I think he is an experienced player that doesn’t need the armband and then I think it’s important to build something for the future. Not only the present but the future.
“He is there and the captain is not only to put the armband on your arm. If we need to communicate with the referee and everything I think Conor can perfectly do the job and for me I prefer Conor than Enzo because I think Conor can speak normal English.”