Levi Colwill is backing Chelsea to mount a genuine title challenge this season, insisting the club feel "ready" to go toe-to-toe with Arsenal following Xabi Alonso's arrival at Real Madrid — a move he believes has shifted the balance of power.
According to BBC News, the 23-year-old England defender admitted he felt "helpless" watching from the sidelines through injury during a turbulent campaign for the Blues, despite Chelsea still managing to lift both the Club World Cup and the Conference League last season.
Colwill believes the upcoming season will feel markedly "different" for Chelsea, suggesting the squad has learned from last term's struggles and is now better equipped to sustain a serious push at the top of English football. While he stopped short of guaranteeing silverware, his comments point to renewed confidence within the Chelsea camp that they can close the gap on Arsenal and the division's leading sides heading into the new campaign.