Glen Johnson identifies key player for Chelsea under Xabi Alonso
Former Premier League winner with Chelsea, Glen Johnson, has highlighted Levi Colwill as a crucial player for Xabi Alonso to rely on this season, reports BritPanorama.
Johnson, who made 71 appearances for the club, noted that keeping a vigilant eye on the defence will be essential for the new Chelsea manager, especially after a season in which the team conceded 52 goals — more than Fulham, Everton, Crystal Palace, and Nottingham Forest.
Following the turbulent reigns of previous managers Enzo Maresca, Liam Rosenior, and Calum McFarlane, the Blues lacked a consistent presence in their backline, contributing to their defensive woes.
Speaking about the benefits of Colwill’s return from a long-term anterior cruciate ligament injury, Johnson asserted that the young centre-back’s absence had only heightened his value to the team. “Levi Colwill is like a new signing after missing nearly all of last season, so I think Chelsea will be much improved defensively this season,” he said.
Johnson expressed optimism regarding the potential partnership between Colwill and new signing Maxence Lacroix, stating they would complement each other effectively, leading to a better defensive record for the side. “Chelsea will concede far fewer chances under Alonso, and the world will have a different perspective on the team and goalkeeper Robert Sanchez,” he added, referencing the struggles of the latter due to a lack of defensive support.
As the Premier League campaign approaches, Chelsea is set to face Fulham in their first match. Johnson is hopeful that Alonso’s leadership will facilitate a transformation within the club following a lackluster previous season. He remarked that while Chelsea has significant work to do, he anticipates they could contend for a top-four finish and possibly secure a Champions League spot.
Alonso, expressing satisfaction over the recent training sessions and the return of players like Reece James, emphasized the importance of building a cohesive team. “Personality, leadership, experience, quality, composure with the ball, competitiveness without the ball. He’s very flexible in his style and in different positions; he’s a legend in the club, and he is a key player for the team,” said Alonso, reflecting on James’ impact.
With ambitions to construct a robust squad, Alonso’s preparations for the upcoming season include five training sessions prior to the match against Fulham, as he seeks to instil both fitness and a winning mentality within his team.
In this uncertain climate for Chelsea, one can only watch to see if reinforcements can turn potential into results, and whether pain can translate quickly into gain as they look to bounce back from last season’s disappointments.
