Chelsea face battle to keep hold of young star with Premier League rival interested

Chelsea could record their lowest ever Premier League finish if certain results go against them on Sunday. 

The Blues currently sit 12th in the table but a defeat against high-flying Newcastle United, coupled with comfortable wins for Wolves and West Ham United, would see them drop to 14th.

Interim manager Frank Lampard has endured a nightmare spell in charge of the club, losing six of his eight matches so far across all competitions.

The former England midfielder will leave his role after Sunday’s final game, with ex-Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino expected to succeed him on a permanent basis.

The Argentine will undoubtedly want to add some new faces to the squad, but it appears that he could also face a battle to keep hold of one of their current stars.

As per Football Insider, Brighton and Hove Albion are keen to sign defender Levi Colwill permanently and believe they have a chance of doing so.

The Englishman is currently on loan at the Seagulls and has enjoyed a superb debut Premier League campaign.

Colwill has impressed for Brighton this season

So far this term, Colwill has made 21 appearances across all competitions and has impressed whenever called upon.

The defender is set to return to parent club Chelsea at the end of the season, but the report claims that Brighton are hoping to persuade their Premier League rivals to let him go.

The Blues have reportedly planned talks with the 20-year-old in the coming weeks, during which they will discuss a new long-term contract.

Colwill’s current deal with Chelsea is set to run until 2025, but the Blues will sit down with the player with the aim of agreeing a new deal that would fend off interest from elsewhere.

Although the youngster is yet to make his senior debut for Chelsea, Colwill is highly regarded by those in charge of the club and they are therefore desperate to keep hold of him.

The player is said to have enjoyed his time on the south coast and would reportedly be open to the idea of working under De Zerbi beyond the end of the current campaign.