Not just Nkunku: Another "top talent" saved their Chelsea career this week

Chelsea put an end to their three-game loss streak on Tuesday night, beating Southampton 4-0 at Stamford Bridge. This was exactly the kind of game the Blues needed, to get three points on the board, score a couple of goals and regain some confidence that has been lost in recent weeks.

Chelsea’s underlying numbers over the past five seasons
Season	Possession %	Shots per game	Shots conceded per game	League finish
2020/21	61.2%	14.6	8.8	4th
2021/22	62.2%	15.6	9	3rd
2022/23	58.8%	12.7	11.5	12th
2023/24	59.0%	14.4	14.6	6th
2024/25	58.2%	16.1	11.1	TBD
Stats taken from WhoScored

When looking at Chelsea’s underlying metrics for this season, you can see Enzo Maresca has already had an impact, keeping their possession numbers similar overall, but taking their shots per game to the highest it’s been in the last five seasons, whilst improving their poor defensive record from last term.

Back in December, Chelsea were sitting pretty at second place in the Premier League, looking extremely likely to secure Champions League football for the 2025/26 season and return to competing among Europe’s finest.

However, Maresca’s side have been hit with some very big injuries over the past few months, losing some key players that were massively influential to Chelsea’s brilliant run of form, which now means they are relying on a slightly lighter group to keep their Champions League hopes alive.

Christopher Nkunku’s important week

One player Maresca is going to have to rely on more in the next few months is Christopher Nkunku, who did score the opener against Southampton in their recent 4-0 victory. The Frenchman was signed by Chelsea in 2023, joining the club for a fee of around £52m.

The 27-year-old has only managed to make 48 appearances for the Blues since joining, spending the majority of the 2023/24 season out with injury issues. In those 48 games, Nkunku has scored 17 goals, providing five assists and totalling 2,092 minutes played.

The forward’s biggest issue has been the fact Cole Palmer plays in his best position, occupying the number ten role, having the freedom to roam and connect play.

However, in the absence of Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke, Maresca has had to find other solutions in his forward line, moving the pieces around to get the best from them.

Nkunku managed to score a goal and set one up against the Saints, also managing two key passes, winning three of his five duels – ground and aerial – and taking four shots, two of which were on target.

But the Frenchman isn’t the only player who put in a well-timed performance, as fans were starting to grumble about a certain other individual who had been struggling in recent weeks.

Another Chelsea redemption

Levi Colwill has clearly been one of Maresca’s favourites since taking over at the club, starting 25 out of the possible 27 Premier League games so far, missing one through injury and being rested in the other.

In those 25 appearances, Colwill has scored once, provided one assist, contributed to five clean sheets and totalled 2,250 minutes played, albeit while notably coming under fire for his “inexcusable” display in the 3-0 defeat to Brighton at the Amex.

That said, the 21-year-old defender helped to silence the doubters by putting in a strong display against Southampton, taking 96 touches in the match, completing 78/81 of his passes (96% accuracy), making one key pass, winning three of his five ground duels, winning two of his three aerial duels and, of course, scoring a goal.

Colwill has been described as a “top talent” in the past by Jacek Kulig, with many expecting the young defender to become one of the very best in his position in England. His ex-Brighton coach, Roberto De Zerbi, even stated, “It’s difficult to find another centre-back, left centre-back, with his quality“.

The talent of Colwill is clearly there for all to see, but the consistency has been struggling as of late. However, there could be a player returning from injury who will help Colwill a lot, forming a strong partnership earlier in the season, which saw the Blues go on their best run of form.

How Wesley Fofana’s return can help Colwill

Wesley Fofana was officially back on the Chelsea bench against Southampton, having been out since the start of December, when he went off injured against Aston Villa.

Before that, Fofana had started 12 out of a possible 13 Premier League games, the only one he missed being due to a suspension.

In those 12 games, Fofana partnered Colwill on all 12 occasions, winning seven times, drawing four times and only losing once, which was their opening-day defeat against Manchester City.

Wesley Fofana vs Levi Colwill comparison
Stats (per 90 mins)	Fofana	Colwill
Progressive Carries	1.24	0.40
Progressive Passes	2.21	4.20
Passes Attempted	62.2	78.1
Pass Completion %	89.6%	89.8%
Passes into Final Third	3.89	4.60
Tackles	1.15	1.28
Blocks	1.24	1.12
Interceptions	1.06	1.06
Ball Recoveries	4.34	3.16
Aerial Duels Won	2.04	2.28
Aerial Win %	69.7%	61.3%
Stats taken from FBref

When you compare the defensive duo’s underlying metrics this season, you can see how they complement each other nicely, with Fofana being the slightly more aggressive defender, looking to step in, make ball recoveries, and apply pressure, whilst Colwill is slightly more methodical, playing as a sweeper behind him.

This also goes for their on-ball partnership, as Fofana gives the Blues more ability to carry the ball out from defensive scenarios, kick-starting attacks by driving through the opposition press, whilst Colwill is more of a progressive passer, looking to dictate and orchestrate from the back.

Fofana’s return to the side could be exactly what Colwill needs to rediscover his best form, and coming off the back of a strong performance against Southampton, he may now have the extra bit of confidence needed to go on a good run with his centre-back partner back by his side.