Chelsea partnership "not working" as Williams Gallas names one player who needs help

Chelsea are trying to weather the storm of a slight slump in form recently, as they are winless in their last five Premier League matches. The Blues have slipped to fifth in the league table, after a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth, where a 95th-minute Reece James equaliser was able to rescue a point for Enzo Maresca’s side at Stamford Bridge.

They are now 10 points behind league leaders Liverpool, and one point outside of the Champions League places. They will hope to recapture their form from earlier in the season on Monday night, when they welcome Wolves to Stamford Bridge. Former Blues defender William Gallas has said that centre-back Levi Colwill needs more help if he is to develop into a star. He is currently the leading defender for Maresca as Wesley Fofana is out injured with a hamstring issue that could keep him on the sidelines for the remainder of the season.

Gallas said: “He's [Levi Colwill] 21 years old, but it’s a shame that the boy could not play maybe one or two more years with Thiago Silva. If he was playing with Thiago Silva for two more years, he would develop into a monster. He can't manage his defence line because at the moment he's thinking about his performance first.”

The former Chelsea and Arsenal centre-back said that Maresca should take note of what Liverpool have done with Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate. The Reds have the best defensive record in the league so far this season.

“If you look at Liverpool, Van Dijk has nurtured Konate.” He added, “He has given Konaté the opportunity to go to another level and Liverpool have been rewarded with a monster. That partnership, they are very strong, because van Dijk, he is still the boss of the defence line. When van Dijk leaves the club, it will be the turn of Konaté to be the boss of the defence and to teach the next player that comes along.”

Chelsea keen to sign a centre-back partner for Colwill

The Blues are keen to sign a defender during the January transfer window as they look for a replacement for the injured Fofana for the remainder of the season. They have been linked with signing Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi, who has experience in the Premier League, making almost 120 appearances in the competition.

However, reports of a Guehi to Chelsea move have quietened in recent days after the club decided to recall Trevoh Chalobah from his loan at Crystal Palace, meaning he will likely replace Fofana for the remainder of the year.

On Chalobah, a club statement confirmed: “Chelsea has recalled defender Trevoh Chalobah from his loan spell at Premier League side Crystal Palace. The Academy graduate joined the Eagles on loan in August, featured 14 times under Oliver Glasner and scored three goals. Chalobah, who has made 80 appearances for the Blues, returns to Stamford Bridge with immediate effect and will join up with Enzo Maresca’s first-team squad. He will wear the No.23 shirt.”

Gallas critical of Maresca’s midfield selection

The former Blues defender also said that Chelsea boss Maresca needs to change his selection in centre-midfield. Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez have been partnered together in the midfield, but Gallas believes that the pair shouldn’t be playing together.

He said: “That partnership simply doesn’t work. I'm sure Maresca realises that now. I'm sure he's going to change it again. He will have someone who can defend in the middle of the park next to Caicedo, and then he can play Enzo further forward. Enzo does his best work higher up the pitch. He needs to be free. He should be closer to Cole Palmer at the top of the pitch.”

Fernandez has made 20 appearances in the Premier League so far this season, scoring three goals and four assists for the Blues.