Levi Colwill Admits Chelsea Form Still Short of ‘Winners’ Bar

Levi Colwill knows his current level for Chelsea “is nowhere near where I’d like to be,” and the 20-year-old defender is determined to raise his game to meet the club’s uncompromising “winners only” ethos.

Levi Colwill targets rapid improvement

Colwill’s frank self-assessment followed a string of mixed displays in the Premier League and Carabao Cup. Although the academy graduate has impressed with his progressive passing and calmness under pressure, he conceded that minor lapses in positioning and concentration have cost Chelsea valuable points. “I hold myself to high standards,” he said. “At this club you have to win, so I’m pushing every day to make sure my performances reflect that.”

Chelsea’s ‘winners only’ culture explained

Since the arrival of owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, the message inside Cobham has been clear: only players who consistently deliver at the highest level will survive. Mauricio Pochettino has echoed that mantra, rewarding youngsters such as Colwill with starts but demanding immediate consistency. The defender revealed that senior staff have placed motivational slogans around the training ground and use video analysis sessions to highlight even the smallest errors. “You can’t hide,” he noted. “Every drill, every game, the question is: did you help the team win?”

Positional learning curve

Operating as a left-sided centre-back and, at times, an inverted full-back, Colwill is learning intricate tactical details. He admits adapting to overlapping runs and underlapping angles has occasionally left him exposed, especially against counter-attacking sides. However, statistics show promise: he ranks in Chelsea’s top three for progressive carries, aerial duel success and passes into the final third—signs that his all-round profile fits Pochettino’s possession model.

Lessons from senior leaders

Colwill credits Thiago Silva and Reece James for mentoring him through difficult moments. Silva, 39, routinely talks him through defensive phases, while captain James offers pointers on body shape and recovery pace. “Watching how they set the tone—never satisfied, always first in, last out—reminds me what being a Chelsea defender really means,” Colwill said.

What the numbers say

Opta data backs up the youngster’s belief that there is room to grow:
• 1.4 interceptions per 90 – sixth among Chelsea regulars
• 4.7 progressive passes per 90 – second behind Enzo Fernández
• 0.08 expected assists per 90 – unusual creativity for a centre-back

Yet Chelsea have only kept four clean sheets in 13 league matches when Colwill has started. Cutting out costly giveaways inside his own half and improving set-piece marking are top priorities identified by the coaching staff.

Opinion: Why Colwill’s honesty matters

Elite clubs thrive on ruthless self-evaluation, and Colwill’s willingness to scrutinise his own game bodes well for his trajectory. Younger players sometimes hide behind platitudes, but his candid admission shows both maturity and hunger. Mistakes will happen during development, yet articulating them publicly can galvanise focus inside the dressing room.

Short-term, Chelsea need Colwill’s left-footed distribution to unlock low blocks and his athletic recovery pace against fast transitions. Long-term, his blend of ball-playing assurance and Premier League physicality could anchor the back line for a decade. The next step is consistency across 90 minutes and competitions—Club World Cup, domestic cups and the league—every three days.

Ultimately, open reflection is the first stage of growth. If Colwill matches his words with action, the Blues’ “winners only” mentality may soon have another homegrown success story at its heart.