Amazing – Chelsea struck gold on £0 signing who’s now worth 4x more than Sancho

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Chelsea’s Promising Future Under Enzo Maresca: A New Era Begins

Foundations Being Laid

Chelsea is building a strong foundation under Enzo Maresca, and while not every player from the club’s large extended squad has been moved on this summer, significant trimming has taken place. The Blues seem poised for one of their best seasons in recent years. While this might sound a bit premature, the emphatic recruitment during the transfer window and the early signs of Maresca’s control-focused tactics suggest that Chelsea could be on the verge of something special after struggling for a clear identity in recent years.

Early Season Performances: A Mixed Bag of Promise

The recent 6-2 thrashing of Wolves at Molineux provided a tantalizing glimpse of Chelsea’s free-flowing attacking potential. However, the excitement was somewhat tempered by the draw at Stamford Bridge, where Ebere Eze’s stunning second-half goal canceled out Nicolas Jackson’s early strike. Despite the draw, there were plenty of positives to take away. Chelsea showed an encouraging level of aggression while maintaining their fluency in ball movement. According to Sofascore, Chelsea created five big chances compared to Palace’s zero, won 52% of contested duels, and dominated possession with 63%.

Jadon Sancho: A New Addition to the Attack

Pedro Neto had an off day, with journalist Nizaar Kinsella noting that the £54 million summer signing struggled to make an impact. Yet, Chelsea’s squad depth is undeniable, highlighted by the last-minute signing of Jadon Sancho from Manchester United. Chelsea now boasts one of the Premier League’s most formidable attacking lines.

Why Chelsea Signed Jadon Sancho

Sancho’s career has stalled since his £73 million move to Manchester United from Borussia Dortmund in 2021. While he shone in Germany with his dynamic wide play and dazzling skills, he struggled to replicate that form in England. Now 24, Sancho’s move to Chelsea offers a chance to reset his career. Chelsea hasn’t been a paragon of stability either, but under Maresca, there’s a clear vision taking shape, and Sancho could rediscover his prodigious talent. He’s effectively replacing Raheem Sterling, who has joined Arsenal on a season-long loan.

Sancho’s move to Chelsea is initially a loan, but the club is obligated to pay £25 million next summer to make the transfer permanent. This could prove to be a shrewd investment for a player of Sancho’s caliber, even if his potential hasn’t been fully realized in England yet. Chelsea’s attack left much to be desired last season, and so did their defense, with disorganization and a lack of steel leading to 63 goals conceded—the most in the top eight.

Levi Colwill: The Defensive Backbone

Levi Colwill was part of last season’s defensive struggles, often deployed out of position as a left-back. However, this season, Colwill has been thriving under Maresca’s guidance as a central defender. At just 21, the England international has already established himself as a key player for Chelsea. According to Sofascore, Colwill has completed 95% of his passes, won 70% of his duels, and averaged four clearances per match while committing just one foul. His passing ability stands out, but he also excels in protecting the goal, ranking in the top 6% for tackles and the top 19% for interceptions per 90 minutes across Europe’s top five leagues, according to FBref.

Colwill’s Role in Maresca’s System

While Marc Cucurella is Chelsea’s designated left-back, the arrival of Renato Veiga from FC Basel indicates the club’s desire to strengthen the position for the future. Veiga, only 21, is highly regarded and could eventually take over as the first-choice left-back. Last season, Colwill split his time between central and wide defense due to injuries to both Cucurella and Ben Chilwell, a situation that frustrated the young defender who sees himself primarily as a center-back. Chelsea reporter Simon Phillips has praised Colwill as “absolutely different class,” and it’s clear that the club has a potential star on their hands.

Levi Colwill’s Market Value in 2024

Last year, Colwill signed a lucrative six-year contract with Chelsea, with an option for an additional year. Fresh off a successful loan spell with Brighton & Hove Albion, the £100k-per-week talent quickly became one of the most sought-after young defenders. Liverpool had identified him as a potential long-term successor to Virgil van Dijk, though their interest has since cooled. Paris Saint-Germain also considered a move this summer but were told they would need to pay £100 million to tempt Chelsea to sell.

This valuation, combined with his age and potential, makes Colwill worth four times more than Jadon Sancho at the same stage of his career. His fit within Maresca’s system, the interest from Europe’s elite clubs, and his £100 million price tag all indicate that Chelsea has struck gold with this young Cobham product.