"Some of the backroom staff..." - Journalist drops intriguing Chelsea and Levi Colwill claim

Chelsea defender Levi Colwill could still play a ‘prominent role’ in the first-team next season, according to talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook.

Speculation surrounding the 19-year-old’s future has been circling recently as Thomas Tuchel presses ahead with plans to significantly strengthen his backline this summer.

A recent report from The Guardian revealed that both Leicester City and Southampton are interested in snapping up Colwill, while Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest are also believed to be among his potential suitors.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has now stated, though, that the England Under-21 international’s future will depend on who Chelsea can lure to Stamford Bridge.

The capital club are close to wrapping up a deal for Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly and Paris Saint-Germain’s Presnel Kimpembe is also on their wish list, although they have ended their pursuit of Manchester City’s Nathan Ake.

Romano claims that Colwill ‘could leave’ if new Chelsea owner Todd Boehly signs three new centre-backs despite impressing during a season-long loan spell at Huddersfield Town last term.

In recent years, Chelsea has allowed fellow academy graduates Fikayo Tomori and Marc Guehi to depart for AC Milan and Crystal Palace, respectively.

The two central defenders have gone on to excel away from west London, but Crook has informed GiveMeSport that the club’s backroom staff have been pushing for Colwill to stay put.

He told GMS: “I know there’s a push from some of the backroom staff not to let him leave this summer, and actually to make him part of the first-team picture.

“But don’t be surprised to see him play a prominent role at the start of the season if they don’t bring in three central defenders.”

Colwill produced three goal