Southampton are said to be the favourites to land a central defender from Chelsea, as you probably have guessed, it is a youngster, but this one has some experience out on loan before in the Championship.

There have been whisperings about this move before, but now they are getting louder and the move is said to be close, the player in question is Levi Colwill who spent last season on loan at Huddersfield and played a pivotal role in getting the Yorkshire club to the play off final at Wembley where they lost by a single goal to Nottingham Forest.

From this perspective although he is only 19, he has proved himself at a reasonable levele, so should he arrive at St Mary's he would be ready to challenge for a first team place.

Colwill was actually born in Southampton and he is yet another Chelsea youth product poached from under Saints noses.

He has close connections to football in this area with three of his uncles having played for Sholing and Colwill was the mascot for the club at Wembley when they played in the FA Vase final in 2014.

Colwill is undoubtably a talent, but we still need an experienced leader in the back four, Mohammed Salisu, Dynel Symeu, Armel Kotchap are all talented youngsters but they have limited experience, adding Colwill to that number will just clog things up.

With Jan Bednarek set to leave the club and Lyanco seemingly going out on loan the only real experience in the back four will be Jack Stephens.

Add to that the likelihood that Gavin Bazunu will be the first choice goalkeeper and we have no leadership or experience in the back four.

Colwill would be a good signing but sign someone to mentor them, in the B team ex Saint Olly Lancashire was signed not with any aspirations to use him in the first team squad, but to play in the B team and mentor the youngsters, given the number we have in the first team squad and the likelihood of a few more coming in, surely something similar is needed in the first team.

Someone perhaps past their 30th birthday able to play in the Premier League still, but looking towards a coaching role, something he could start to fulfil by coaching our young defenders.

Photo: Action Images

Kenm added 08:31 - Jul 1 good idea strengthening defence ?, but what about the other end players who can SCORE ?
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derbydog added 08:43 - Jul 1 You’re not going to get your over 30 signing because it’s not in the business plan. Leadership doesn’t necessarily come as standard with an older player anyway and I think Huddersfield fans will tell you Colwill showed it at 19 last season. Lyanco might be a leader when he has sorted his football out. JWP only became a leader under Ralph, I would say. What we should be asking is how do we use all these defenders, assuming Bednarek leaves. It looks to me like 3 at the back with Salisu left Colwill centre and Lyanco right, with Simeu, Kotchap and Stephens the back up. That looks pretty good to me, with some good young players given their chance to become great. And be sold!

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Penger added 09:52 - Jul 1 We should be doing all we can to try and sign Ben Mee from Burnley for his experience.
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DellBoyWally added 10:18 - Jul 1 Phil Jones from ManU? Was their best defender (Ha!) when he got into the side. It'd only be for 12 months. Liam Delap from t'other side of the city looks to be heading south - described as Broja 2.0. Hope that doesn't mean he won't score after February!! We need a leader on the pitch. I don't think JWP does enough - just the occasional shout or hand clap. Need someone to drive the side when we're on top (yes, it does happen!!) and scream and shout and bellow when we're under pressure (thoat lozenges in great supply!!)

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JoeEgg added 13:45 - Jul 1 Perhaps its reassuring to be told that there is plenty of action in the transfer circus, byt just one name mentioned so far amongst possible attackers. This is crazy and will lead to Ralph being even more conservative and defensive minded. If anyone thinks that Armstrong and Adams will do the job for Saints they are completely out of touch with reality. I appreciate that every club would like to see more proven attackers in their squad, but we need it more than any other club in the Premier Leage. Saints transfer busness can only be seen as a success if we assume the ability to score more goals.

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City_boy added 09:24 - Jul 2 I would have any of these 'suggested' CB's ahead Stephens. I question the validity of Stephens being only experienced CB if Lyanco and JB leave. Yes, he has played loads of games, but that doesn't make him good enough for Premiership. He is a Championship player at best, so replacing him with a quality Championship player doesn't seem to be that risky ? We know what Stephens has to offer, and it is not good enough.

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