Levi Colwill is eager to demonstrate his capabilities as a top-tier Premier League center-back after an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury left him feeling sidelined and helpless during Chelsea's disappointing 2025-26 season. The 23-year-old defender managed to return for the final few league matches, but his efforts could not prevent the club from finishing 10th and missing out on European qualification.
The last time Colwill featured in a winning Chelsea side was the Club World Cup final victory against Paris Saint-Germain in July 2025, shortly before his season-ending injury occurred on the first day of preseason training. "It kills everything," Colwill said of the injury's impact. "It was really tough to get my head around. But I'm a strong believer that everything happens for a reason, so I just tried to take it in my stride."
Despite the frustration of watching his teammates from the sidelines, Colwill believes the experience has made him mentally and physically stronger. "When you can't do anything to affect the game on the pitch, you feel helpless, and that's how I felt at times," he admitted. He is now focused on leveraging the motivation gained from a brief return at the end of last season to propel his performance in the upcoming campaign.
Under new manager Xabi Alonso, Colwill anticipates Chelsea challenging for the Premier League title. "Having a manager of this quality now, when it all comes together, we’re definitely going to be able to challenge and push for the Premier League," he stated. Alonso, known for his attacking philosophy, is expected to rely on Colwill to anchor the defense, potentially alongside the anticipated signing of Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace.
Colwill also expressed admiration for Alonso's coaching style. "He's putting across his game plan and trying to make us play the football he wants us to play, which is really creative, attacking, free-flowing football, which I think we're doing really well," Colwill said. The defender believes Chelsea possesses a squad capable of competing at the highest level.
Chelsea is scheduled to face the Western Sydney Wanderers on Tuesday as part of their pre-season tour. Colwill expressed confidence in the team's potential, stating, "I really do believe the players we've got in the changing room are some of the best players in the world. When everything comes together, we can really be a strong force and push forward this season."