Why Arsenal Clash Can Be An Important Opportunity For Chelsea’s Young Centre-Backs

With Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea eyeing up another defensive signing to replace the departed Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger, this pre-season is a make or break for the young centre-backs who are vying for spaces in Chelsea’s 2022-23 squad.

Chelsea will face Arsenal in the club's third and final pre-season friendly of their United States tour in the lead up to the much anticipated return of the Premier League season, which will be a pivotal match for the likes of Ethan Ampadu and Levi Colwill who will need to impress should they solidify a consistent role in Tuchel’s set up.

Having played last season at Huddersfield Town and being confident on the left side of a back three, it seems natural that Levi Colwill is given a chance to prove himself at Stamford Bridge next season.

The 19-year-old has developed the necessary attributes to make him thrive in a Tuchel system with his ability to complete accurate long passes and being composed on the ball being the key assets he possesses. 

The England Under-21 player has been linked to a move away from west London this summer as he looks to emulate the development of Fikayo Tomori and Marc Guehi, who have both had success as defenders once making permanent transfers in previous years.

Tuchel has been quick to offer comments supporting Colwill during a period where the player's future is uncertain.

He said: “The fact he’s still here is very easy, we don’t know him enough so he needs to stay here, we need to have further impressions, we need more impressions of him to get a better outlook on the situation.”

Tuchel added: “He had a good spell on loan, and we need to think carefully at the end of pre-season what’s best for him.”

With Chelsea’s new model targeting versatile players such as Jules Kounde and Nathan Ake who can play more than one position, it seems logical to keep Colwill due to his technical ability which could allow him to play at full-back or wing-back as well in addition to his favoured centre-back.

Another player who fits the quota of being versatile is Ethan Ampadu.

After his impressive spell in Italy, Welsh international Ampadu could make a return to being a consistent feature in Chelsea’s squad after a few seasons on loan. 

Much like Colwill, Ampadu’s technical ability as a defender is what is most exciting.

Having transitioned as a midfielder in his younger days, the 21-year-old has been a confident feature in a back three playing in the middle or on the right.

With the departure of Christensen, Chelsea need a player to rotate with Thiago Silva may struggle to play every game in the middle of the back three. 

Ampadu’s ability to read the game combined with how comfortable he is on the ball makes him the exact profile of player Chelsea need for the upcoming season. It is paramount that Chelsea hold on to their talents in order to avoid being proven wrong by a young player who moves away.

Ampadu and Colwill could feature versus London rivals Arsenal after both getting minutes off the bench in the 5-3 penalty shoot-out defeat versus Charlotte FC on Thursday morning (UK). 

Chelsea should look to reassure both players of their value to the club and to integrate both players over the course of the upcoming season.