PL club look to Ajax after struggling to sign Chelsea centre-back

Fabrizio Romano reveals Brighton & Hove Albion contact Calvin Bassey after difficulty signing Chelsea’s Levi Colwill

According to Fabrizio Romano, Brighton & Hove Albion have approached 23-year-old Ajax and Nigerian national team centre-back Calvin Bassey following difficulty in signing Levi Colwill after Chelsea made it clear the centre-back is not for sale.

The Blues defender who was loaned out to Brighton for the 2022–23 season enjoyed a brilliant loan spell, which propelled Chelsea to firm up their stance of retaining the 20-year-old for the upcoming campaign.

However, the Seagulls were prepared to break their transfer record in order to sign the centre-back, but Chelsea have shown no signs of wanting to sell the youngster given his recent performances. Not only is he a homegrown player, but he is a very good one at that.

New manager Mauricio Pochettino is also looking forward to working with him and sees him as part of his plans for the upcoming campaign as the players gear up for the new season.

Colwill compete with Benoit Badiashile to play alongside Wesley Fofana or Thiago Silva in Chelsea’s centre of defence next season; however, Silva’s future is still up in the air. Kalidou Koulibaly’s departure to Saudi Pro League has nevertheless freed up some space at the back.

Trevoh Chalobah has also been mentioned as a potential transfer target outside of Stamford Bridge. Although, as of right now, nothing is certain regarding his future at Chelsea and he could get less game-time as Pochettino might prefer the likes of Fofana, Colwill and Badiashile over him.

Hopefully, the manager will give him enough playing time to meet his needs. At Brighton, he demonstrated his flair, and he is well-versed in the Premier League, so he shouldn’t have any trouble integrating at Chelsea.

Chelsea have made the right decision to not sell him to Brighton permanently. Colwill’s presence will significantly strengthen the back line. Pochettino’s decision to keep the defender indicates that he is aware of Colwill’s competence and contribution to the defence.

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As for Bassey, hopefully, the Seagulls get their man and give up on chasing Colwill. We may want to keep the Englishman here and the player may want to stay at Stamford Bridge too. But there could be a time, or an offer from Brighton, that could make both parties consider a move to the south Coast. It is best to keep it safe and get Brighton off his trail.