Chelsea handed major FA Cup final boost as new leader emerges | OneFootball

Blues shown exactly what they have been missing all season in Liverpool draw

In the second half of a season which has exposed fragile foundations and concerning areas of weakness at Chelsea, the club have had to make a song and dance about whatever is still functioning as it should.

So when, after Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool, Calum McFarlane was quizzed on the performance of Levi Colwill after the defender’s first start of the season, the interim head coach began: “I’m glad you asked.”

A difficult week had started with that bruising 3-1 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest and ended on better terms with a point at Anfield. Colwill’s return was a seismic boost along the way.

His return came at Stamford Bridge as a half-time substitute against Forest. A first start and full 90 minutes followed at Anfield in a game he said afterwards he felt Chelsea had “deserved” to win, and his performance sparked discourse between Blues fans who felt it served to demonstrate just what they have been missing over the past nine months.

McFarlane said of Colwill: “I thought he was exceptional. I'm really pleased for Levi; he's been injured for a long time.

“The first 90 minutes, away at Anfield, when the team aren't particularly in their best form, to go and put that level of performance in, it doesn't only show his level of talent and quality, it shows his mentality. So I'm really pleased for Levi.”

Despite his age, there were signs of leadership, too, from the 23-year-old as he barked orders at those around him as though he’d been in and amongst it all season.

And his commanding influence told by the end. His 73 passes were the most made by any Chelsea player. He had the most long balls, most defensive contributions, most interceptions, clearances, shots blocked and aerial duels won.

How Chelsea could have done with him at the Emirates. At the Amex. In Paris. All season.

How Chelsea could have done with Colwill at the Emirates. At the Amex. In Paris. All season

“Defensively, apart from conceding early, I thought we were immense,” Colwill said after the match at Anfield.

His presence had been a major factor in how Chelsea turned the screw against Liverpool after their dismal start. And he seemed to bring the best out of Wesley Fofana, who had endured a torrid few weeks out of form and initially lost his place in the side.

By the end, Chelsea had achieved the almost unthinkable: outrunning their opponents in a Premier League game for the first time all season, at the 36th attempt.

Total distance covered: 103km to Liverpool’s 102.9km. “That’s the final straw,” one Liverpool fan in the ‘Arne Slot out’ camp wrote wryly on social media.

A coincidence that Chelsea should achieve the feat on the occasion of Colwill’s first start? Yes, probably. But it doesn’t do his PR any harm.

He was considered a lost cause as far as this summer’s World Cup is concerned. Yet is it so fanciful to say he’s now in with an outside chance of squeezing his way into the England squad at the last?

Thomas Tuchel has plenty of centre-back options to choose from, but, perhaps bar Marc Guehi, Colwill has a ceiling as high as any of them. He can deputise at right-back, to his credit, just the same as Ben White, who made his return to the international fold in March’s friendlies after a four-year exile.

Raising the levels: Colwill’s return also helped the likes of Wesley Fofana alongside him at Anfield

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White suffered an ill-timed injury for Arsenal against West Ham on Sunday. You never know.

Two more 90-minute outings in the last remaining Premier League games and a start in the FA Cup final this weekend present further opportunities for Chelsea’s No6 to continue getting back up to speed and to further stake his claim.

McFarlane, asked whether Colwill was in the frame to start at Wembley against Manchester City, replied: “Definitely.”

Reflecting on a season that so nearly passed him by in its entirety, Colwill admitted: “It’s been really tough. But my team-mates have been amazing with me.

“The staff, too. I couldn’t have asked for anything better. They’ve put me in the best way to come back and be strong and good, and hopefully it goes on that way.

“Everyone keeps telling me I’ve grown. I feel stronger - mentally stronger - and all that hard work has helped me. I’m a better player and person for going through that.”