Enzo Maresca and Levi Colwill's full-time embrace after Chelsea win speaks volumes

Many doubted ability to get the best out of overcrowded squad when he arrived at Stamford Bridge in the summer.

The Italian joined from Leicester City and came with little experience in management. However, that didn't prevent him from making brave decisions. He built strong relationships with many key players including defender , with the pair sharing a warm embrace at the full-time whistle of their recent victory over Newcastle United.

Colwill played the full 90 minutes and has featured in every game this season building a formidable partnership at the back alongside Wesley Fofana. Speaking exclusively to last week Maresca revealed that Colwill is shaping up to become a true leader for the Blues.

"Levi probably at the beginning of the season was not a leader but now you can see that he is one of the guys that is always speaking," he told us last week. We need to build that. We need as much as we have, then it’s perfect," he said.

Academy graduate Colwill shone for the first time in a shirt last season, making 32 appearances under . He impressed an a loan spell at Brighton prior to that and has now earned a regular spot under Maresca.

His impressive rise has also seen him earn four England caps despite not being selected for Euro 2024 in the summer.

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The Blues are fortunate enough to have a young squad that will only grow under Maresca's management. While a return to the Champions League is the priority this season, the Blues will also have one eye on silverware.

Being involved in several competitions means nobody will be short of game time, allowing the Italian boss to maintain the close bond he already has with Colwill and others.