Liverpool Eyeing Up Levi Colwill as Potential Van Dijk Replacement
Liverpool have been on the hunt for a new defender this summer, and the Reds have their eyes set on Chelsea’s Levi Colwill. The 20-year-old centre-back has been impressive during his loan spell at Brighton last season and the Reds have been keeping a watchful eye on his situation at Stamford Bridge.
The success of England’s U21 Euros saw Liverpool eyes drawn towards Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott, but it also led to talk about target Levi Colwill. The Reds’ priority this summer has been to address the glaring midfield needs but talks of a new defender remain after two early signings.
Micky van de Ven and Goncalo Inacio are among those linked, as too Chelsea‘s Colwill who was part of the Young Lions’ triumph alongside Jones and Elliott. New Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has said: “I need to get a feel for him [Colwill]. I need to hear what he has in his mind. What he expects. And then, of course, for him to listen to what I expect from him.”
Any transfer would demand a hefty fee and prove challenging to get over the line, but Colwill has shown he has a high ceiling and talent to be one for the present and future. While he conceded a penalty at the death in the U21 Euros final, which was saved, there was plenty to like from the centre-back’s showing and it got fans talking and offering contrasting views on what price would be right.
Reactions to Colwill’s Performance
The reactions to Colwill’s performance in the U21 Euros final were mixed. Some fans were impressed with his potential and were eager for Liverpool to sign him, while others were more cautious about the hefty fee that would be demanded for his transfer.
One fan tweeted: “Colwill’s actually got prime Virgil aura at 20 years of age. How.” Another fan tweeted: “Really want Levi Colwill at Liverpool I won’t lie, just have absolutely no clue how we’d pull it off. Unsure about his contract situation at Chelsea as well… Not worth £80m, but £40-50m you might start considering it.”
One fan even went as far as to say that Colwill would get 100 England caps, saying: “Message from a Premier League coach – ‘Levi Colwill will get 100 England caps. He’s the best left-footed centre back we’ve had.’”
Why Liverpool Should Sign Colwill
Virgil van Dijk is not getting any younger, so signing a left-sided centre-back with a high ceiling, like Colwill, would be in Liverpool’s best interests. Colwill has shown that he can be a reliable defender and his performance in the U21 Euros final was impressive.
Signing this particular player, however, comes with plenty of hurdles as Chelsea will not want to let him leave to a rival and if he pushed for an exit, it would need the club to dig deep into their pockets. For the right player, though, Liverpool have shown they are willing to do just that.
Conclusion
Levi Colwill is an exciting prospect and could be the perfect replacement for Virgil van Dijk in the long term. His performance in the U21 Euros final has certainly caught the attention of Liverpool fans who are eager for him to join the club.
However, signing Colwill won’t be easy as Chelsea will not want to let him leave to a rival and if he pushed for an exit, it would need the club to dig deep into their pockets. For the right player, though, Liverpool have shown they are willing to do just that.