[Albion] Levi Colwill

[Hugo Rune]

This does seem to be getting a bit Leeds & Ben White.

So much so, I think we have absolutely no chance of signing him now.

We’ve totally humiliated Chelsea this season. We’ve bent over and let them take our POTS and then our management team and recruitment head honcho. In returned we’ve effectively taken their place in the top six. It’s brilliant. We’ve destroyed them on the pitch too…..twice. I don’t think they like us very much

And then some people still think we’ve got a chance of signing one of their best prospects? Even if Levi Colwill wants to sign here permanently (which I’m now convinced he does), it just ain’t going to happen. Incredibly frustrating because he is a perfect fit but let’s turn our attention elsewhere. This is the last club on the planet Chelsea will let Levi go to. We accept it and move on.

 

[dazzer6666]

This does seem to be getting a bit Leeds & Ben White.

So much so, I think we have absolutely no chance of signing him now.

We’ve totally humiliated Chelsea this season. We’ve bent over and let them take our POTS and then our management team and recruitment head honcho. In returned we’ve effectively taken their place in the top six. It’s brilliant. We’ve destroyed them on the pitch too…..twice. I don’t think they like us very much

And then some people still think we’ve got a chance of signing one of their best prospects? Even if Levi Colwill wants to sign here permanently (which I’m now convinced he does), it just ain’t going to happen. Incredibly frustrating because he is a perfect fit but let’s turn our attention elsewhere. This is the last club on the planet Chelsea will let Levi go to. We accept it and move on.

Don’t think Ben White ever tweeted anything taking the piss out of Brighton when we lost.

 

[Muzzman]

This does seem to be getting a bit Leeds & Ben White.

So much so, I think we have absolutely no chance of signing him now.

We’ve totally humiliated Chelsea this season. We’ve bent over and let them take our POTS and then our management team and recruitment head honcho. In returned we’ve effectively taken their place in the top six. It’s brilliant. We’ve destroyed them on the pitch too…..twice. I don’t think they like us very much

And then some people still think we’ve got a chance of signing one of their best prospects? Even if Levi Colwill wants to sign here permanently (which I’m now convinced he does), it just ain’t going to happen. Incredibly frustrating because he is a perfect fit but let’s turn our attention elsewhere. This is the last club on the planet Chelsea will let Levi go to. We accept it and move on.

#FreeLevi

 

[SUIYHP]

This does seem to be getting a bit Leeds & Ben White.

So much so, I think we have absolutely no chance of signing him now.

We’ve totally humiliated Chelsea this season. We’ve bent over and let them take our POTS and then our management team and recruitment head honcho. In returned we’ve effectively taken their place in the top six. It’s brilliant. We’ve destroyed them on the pitch too…..twice. I don’t think they like us very much

And then some people still think we’ve got a chance of signing one of their best prospects? Even if Levi Colwill wants to sign here permanently (which I’m now convinced he does), it just ain’t going to happen. Incredibly frustrating because he is a perfect fit but let’s turn our attention elsewhere. This is the last club on the planet Chelsea will let Levi go to. We accept it and move on.

I agree partially- the parallels of ‘he loves it here vs going back there’ feel very reminiscent of the whole Ben White situation. I also think Chelsea would be head mental to sell him for a price we would pay. (I dont think they would either).

Colwill is a pro and I think he’s playing the game- he’s won European football at his loanee club and he’s saying to Chelsea “If you want me back I deserve to be playing first team, if you wont, someone else will.”

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

It's not surprising that a talented young loan player feels very connected to the club he was leant to, particularly if they have a good season and he's bonded with other young players having a breakout season. He's been swept along on the emotion and excitement.

And at such a young age, he'll also be making new friends in the squad who he feels close to.

It's not a surprise then when the fans of that club interpret all that as you wanting to stay. He may even feel that way himself.

Then the squad breaks for the summer. He goes home and back to him parent club and all that adrenalin and euphoria starts to fade. At which point commercial reality kicks in (along with agents and family) and normality is resumed. Moving to the loan club doesn't feel so compelling with the benefit of some distance. Reason takes over.

I'm talking about Ben White, but it could just as well be Levi Colwell. Or any successful young loanee, ever. Let's be careful not to get to carried away about this guy, good though he is.

Edit: I see others above have made the same point is far fewer words.

 

[DJ NOBO]

It’s gutting as he’s a superb player but Chelsea won‘t allow themselves to get shafted by us again.
It will be ridiculous fee, at best.
Move on.
I reckon we will bring in a RDZ centre back from Ukraine or wherever.
We also have JPVH who will have a great career with someone, hopefully us.

 

[Javeaseagull]

I get it about Ben White and there are parallels obviously but it occurs to me that we are not in Leeds position at all. Chelsea will still owe us large amounts of money for Cucurella and Potter etc so we could buy Colwill with their own money! I don’t think we are fixed on operating one way i.e. buy low sell big. We paid the going rate for Estipinan and we are not short of money. If he wants to come to us we could make it happen I’m sure. As always it’s up to the player.

 

[Oh_aye]

Me neither…

He's had the temerity to be enjoying a cocktail while Chelsea get tonked.

Online chelsea fans appear to be in agreement that hes disrespectin' mandem blud.

 

[Jim in the West]

One of the problems will be that Poch seems to rate him (if you believe the reports). I can imagine that there’s already a list of the ones who will stay and the ones who will go. I guess it depends how high up the first list Colwill is. Hopefully he will make it very clear (even clearer!) that he wants to leave. Fingers crossed, but my expectations are set low.

 

[DavidinSouthampton]

This does seem to be getting a bit Leeds & Ben White.

So much so, I think we have absolutely no chance of signing him now.

We’ve totally humiliated Chelsea this season. We’ve bent over and let them take our POTS and then our management team and recruitment head honcho. In returned we’ve effectively taken their place in the top six. It’s brilliant. We’ve destroyed them on the pitch too…..twice. I don’t think they like us very much

And then some people still think we’ve got a chance of signing one of their best prospects? Even if Levi Colwill wants to sign here permanently (which I’m now convinced he does), it just ain’t going to happen. Incredibly frustrating because he is a perfect fit but let’s turn our attention elsewhere. This is the last club on the planet Chelsea will let Levi go to. We accept it and move on.

I may be wrong, but I don’t think there is any of the “Bielsa made Ben White the player he is! Brighton didn’t care and just sent him out on loan all the time” stuff. People recognised he was class and that we were lucky to get him when he came.

and I for one am well aware he will probably be going back to Chelsea, but hoping something could be worked out - you never know. If he has been happy here, that’s just some sort of testament to the club and how it’s run.

 

[um bongo molongo]

I’m also in the camp that thinks it’s very unlikely Chelsea will sell. But…I do think the price may not be the issue. For a 20 year old Englishman / HGP with potentially a very high ceiling and sell on value, playing in a position that’s difficult to find in a way that’s perfect for our style, I do think Tony might break our transfer record for him. I think he’d consider 40m for Colwill better value than 20-25m for Matvienko for example. Especially if he can knock down the price if they do want Sanchez. So unlikely but not impossible (if they can be persuaded to sell).

 

[GJN1]

I’m also in the camp that thinks it’s very unlikely Chelsea will sell. But…I do think the price may not be the issue. For a 20 year old Englishman / HGP with potentially a very high ceiling and sell on value, playing in a position that’s difficult to find in a way that’s perfect for our style, I do think Tony might break our transfer record for him. I think he’d consider 40m for Colwill better value than 20-25m for Matvienko for example. Especially if he can knock down the price if they do want Sanchez. So unlikely but not impossible (if they can be persuaded to sell).

I think this is the best shout. Offload Big Brooding Bob and give 'em a few quid on top for Lovely Lithe Levi.

 

[Seaber]

Not expecting Chelsea to want to sell Colwill, to us or anyone, but they do need to sell players as missing out on Europe will have a big impact on funds and FFP.

Best way to raise money is to sell off their academy trained players, of which Colwill is one. However he will be an U21 player next season so cannot be counted towards their home grown player number.

A lot of the players they will probably try to offload/need to sell (RLC, Mount, Gallagher, etc) are home grown players, so with Colwill's age and the fact he doesn't seem to want to sign a new deal, maybe it's better they cut their losses and keep a CB player like Chalobah who is homegrown. That way they are more likely to be able to register all their hyper talented 8-year mega bucks players.

*Edit* Sanchez is homegrown, which could help any potential deal.

 

[highflyer]

I’m also in the camp that thinks it’s very unlikely Chelsea will sell. But…I do think the price may not be the issue. For a 20 year old Englishman / HGP with potentially a very high ceiling and sell on value, playing in a position that’s difficult to find in a way that’s perfect for our style, I do think Tony might break our transfer record for him. I think he’d consider 40m for Colwill better value than 20-25m for Matvienko for example. Especially if he can knock down the price if they do want Sanchez. So unlikely but not impossible (if they can be persuaded to sell).

I'd agree. Very unlikely we will get him, but not impossible.

I suspect Chelsea will keep him.

But they DO need to sell quite a few players and the best profits 'on the books' will come from young players that didn't cost them anything (maybe - i'm not an accountant, so also maybe not). They will also find it hard to shift many of their 'big' players due to salary demands. So selling Levi could be a necessity rather than a choice. And in the end it will be for the most they can get for him. I don't think any annoyance at his behaviour is going to get in the way of selling him to us if we are willing to pay the most.

And he WILL go for big money. More than we'd normally pay.

BUT...I've always believed that the barriers to recruitment for us were less about cost of buying and more about the salary structure. Especially as our coffers swell with sales of players and managers (mostly to Chelsea). So if Levi does want to stay to play, and as he probably isn't yet on a huge salary, it is feasible we could pay a 'competitive' amount to get him. I think we'd be expecting to be able to sell him in a couple of years for at least what we'd pay, so the finances would make sense if his salary expectations are reasonable.

So, feasible. But not likely.

As per Ben White at Leeds, the reality is that he is a Chelsea player and they hold 95% of the cards.

 

[GJN1]

Not expecting Chelsea to want to sell Colwill, to us or anyone, but they do need to sell players as missing out on Europe will have a big impact on funds and FFP.

Best way to raise money is to sell off their academy trained players, of which Colwill is one. However he will be an U21 player next season so cannot be counted towards their home grown player number.

A lot of the players they will probably try to offload/need to sell (RLC, Mount, Gallagher, etc) are home grown players, so with Colwill's age and the fact he doesn't seem to want to sign a new deal, maybe it's better they cut their losses and keep a CB player like Chalobah who is homegrown. That way they are more likely to be able to register all their hyper talented 8-year mega bucks players.

*Edit* Sanchez is homegrown, which could help any potential deal.

I love the idea of players being 'homegrown', like there's a club greenhouse, with all these little starlets sprouting.

 

[Oh_aye]

I’m also in the camp that thinks it’s very unlikely Chelsea will sell. But…I do think the price may not be the issue. For a 20 year old Englishman / HGP with potentially a very high ceiling and sell on value, playing in a position that’s difficult to find in a way that’s perfect for our style, I do think Tony might break our transfer record for him. I think he’d consider 40m for Colwill better value than 20-25m for Matvienko for example. Especially if he can knock down the price if they do want Sanchez. So unlikely but not impossible (if they can be persuaded to sell).

I'm starting to think the bigger issue is not about Chelseas willingness to sell and more to do with the fact that there are a number of predators out there that can pay more than us if they get a whiff that they will sell.

I've no idea of what debt remains between us and Chelsea but if we could leverage that or sulky bob to get it done it would be amazing. If Levi came in I genuinely don't think we would need any CB reinforcements this summer. Especially with JPvH 's performance on Wednesday.

 

[Hugo Rune]

I may be wrong, but I don’t think there is any of the “Bielsa made Ben White the player he is! Brighton didn’t care and just sent him out on loan all the time” stuff. People recognised he was class and that we were lucky to get him when he came.

and I for one am well aware he will probably be going back to Chelsea, but hoping something could be worked out - you never know. If he has been happy here, that’s just some sort of testament to the club and how it’s run.

My comparison is on one level only. The fans hope that their club can keep their loan player when clearly, they are top level and the club with the ownership is not going to contemplate letting them go.

Tony: Hi The Todd, can we keep Levi.

The Todd: Yes Tony, you can.

Tony: £15m?

The Todd: Sorry Tony, I’ve been learning my lessons between my frequent snacking. Do you think Levi is better than Cucurella?

Tony: Isn’t that obvious?

The Todd: Well you’ll need to pay more than we paid for Marc. You are the top six side now. And if you ever, ever sell us a pup like Potter again, I’ll sue you into the 23rd century.

Tony: Does £16m work?


I’m in no way comparing the behaviour of Brighton fans with Leeds fans over the two sagas. That’s is a banning offence. Leeds fans were inexcusably deluded, arrogant and embarrassing over the Ben White thing. That is not us.

 

[Bridcutt]

I think the only way this transfer comes even close to happening is if Levi kicks up a huge fuss (which I don't support but it's modern football).
Chelsea have quite a few defenders and if Levi doesn't think he'll play then why would he want to rot on the bench? Another loan spell to us could happen but I'd imagine Chelsea will and should have him in their plans for next season and beyond.

He'll be too expensive for us. He's young, English & obviously very talented + left footed which is hard to find. We won't and shouldn't spend £40m + on him

 

[Commander]

I think Chelsea will sell him, personally. When do they ever actually bring young players through? They'll say he's not for sale and then they'll see someone else they want to buy and suddenly they'll change their mind and let him go. I just don't think we'll pay that kind of fee though, there is better value out there.

 

[Iggle Piggle]

It’s the Chelsea way, obnoxious club from top to bottom and they always have been, even before the Russian bank rolled them. A nouveau riche Millwall in fact.

As @Simster says they are also a club “look at me “ glory hunting celebrities have latched onto during their rise through obscene money. Jeremy Vine being the one who grates the most with me

A mild mannered colleague at work piped up about Jeremy Vine the other day.

"If there was a pay per view event where there was a live missile strike on his house, I'd pay however much they wanted without question"

His ability to be loathed by everyone is strangely impressive.