{"id":5406,"date":"2026-09-20T08:02:37","date_gmt":"2026-09-20T08:02:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=5406"},"modified":"2026-09-20T08:02:37","modified_gmt":"2026-09-20T08:02:37","slug":"levi-colwills-defensive-numbers-so-far-as-decision-time-approaches-for-xabi-alonso","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=5406","title":{"rendered":"Levi Colwill’s defensive numbers so far as decision time approaches for Xabi Alonso"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Levi Colwill is one of the most popular Chelsea players among the club\u2019s fan base, but that has not stopped supporters from criticising him this season.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Colwill<\/a> started in Chelsea\u2019s<\/a> 3-0 loss to Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on Friday and did not hold back after the full-time whistle. <\/p>\n

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In a post-game interview, Colwill was critical of Chelsea\u2019s defending<\/a>, claiming that the Blues have been \u201cbullied\u201d in their box. That is true, with Colwill himself being one of the biggest culprits of bad defending at Chelsea this season.<\/p>\n

He is not making enough tackles compared to Chelsea\u2019s other defenders, which may concern supporters. According to WhoScored<\/a>, the 23-year-old is only making 0.8 tackles per game in the Premier League.<\/p>\n

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Chelsea\u2019s player ratings after that disastrous performance\u2026 do you agree with us?<\/h3>\n

Who deserves higher and who deserves even lower? \ud83d\ude33<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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For context, Maxence Lacroix has an average of two, while Wesley Fofana and Josh Acheampong are both registering 1.8. Some of Colwill\u2019s numbers make for better reading.<\/p>\n

He is at least making more interceptions, averaging one per game, while the England international is also averaging 4.3 clearances. When it comes to aerial duels won, he is level with Fofana on 2.3.<\/p>\n

In contrast to attacking stats, defensive numbers are probably not as insightful. But whether you want to use Colwill\u2019s tackling stats or not, for example, it is quite clear that he needs to improve when you look back at some of his performances this season.<\/p>\n

Xabi Alonso could be forced to switch Levi Colwill\u2019s position or drop him<\/h2>\n

Colwill has not been helped by Xabi Alonso\u2019s<\/a> decision to play him on the left side of a back three. It has become obvious that Colwill is better suited to the central centre-back role, where he can build up play and have a little bit more protection. In the left channel, the Chelsea academy graduate has really struggled defensively.<\/p>\n

After the international break, Alonso may have to tinker with things a little bit. At this point, he needs to give serious consideration to either moving Colwill to the central centre-back position in his current set-up or dropping him.<\/p>\n

Jorrel Hato did really well in the left-sided centre-back role<\/a> last season, so he would be the main candidate to replace Colwill in the starting XI.<\/p>\n

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