Veiga and Colwill: Chelsea’s Future Defensive Duo

 

As Chelsea gear up for a new era under incoming manager Enzo Maresca, the club has already begun strengthening its ranks for the 2025/26 season. With several promising youngsters and loan stars returning, the Blues are building a foundation that could see them challenge for silverware once again. Among the most exciting prospects is Renato Veiga—dubbed Chelsea’s next Ricardo Carvalho.

The club has been busy behind the scenes. Dario Essugo is set to join from Sporting CP this summer, while Geovany Quenda will follow in 2026. Chelsea fans are also eagerly anticipating the arrivals of teenage sensations Estevao and Kendry Paez, both of whom were signed before turning 18 and will officially link up with the club in the coming months.

But it’s not just new signings who are creating buzz. Chelsea’s extensive loan network is beginning to bear fruit, with several key players returning in top form—ready to make an impact under Maresca’s guidance.

Andrey Santos has been a revelation at Strasbourg. The 20-year-old Brazilian midfielder has racked up 10 goals and three assists in 28 Ligue 1 appearances and has been described by manager Liam Rosenior as “the best midfielder in the league.” With Chelsea seeking midfield reinforcements, Santos appears primed for a first-team role.

Goalkeeper Djorde Petrovic, also at Strasbourg, has quietly built a solid season of his own—keeping nine clean sheets in 25 appearances and proving he’s more than capable of competing at the highest level.

While all eyes are on the attacking talents arriving this summer, Chelsea may already have a defensive gem on their hands in Renato Veiga. Signed for £11.8 million from FC Basel, Veiga initially featured sporadically for Chelsea before joining Juventus on loan in January. Since moving to Serie A, the 21-year-old has made eight appearances as a centre-back, notching two clean sheets and earning plaudits for his composure, physicality, and intelligence on the ball.

Veiga’s impressive form has drawn comparisons to Chelsea legend Ricardo Carvalho—another Portuguese centre-back who quietly defined an era at Stamford Bridge with his calm presence and tactical awareness. While Veiga adds more versatility—capable of playing as a left-back, defensive midfielder, or even further up the pitch—he shares Carvalho’s defining trait: elite ball progression under pressure.

A closer look at Veiga’s stats this season reveals why he’s so highly rated. Compared to Levi Colwill, one of Chelsea’s brightest defensive stars, Veiga matches or surpasses him in key areas:
Stat (per 90 mins)
Veiga
Colwill
Goals + Assists
0.14
0.06
Progressive Carries
1.36
0.36
Progressive Passes
3.98
3.89
Pass Completion %
87.2%
89.6%
Tackles
2.05
1.21
Interceptions
1.25
1.01
Ball Recoveries
3.75
3.25
The numbers suggest that Veiga is not only a solid defender but also a valuable asset in possession—an ideal fit for Maresca’s build-from-the-back philosophy. Described as a “Swiss army knife” defender by scout Jacek Kulig, Veiga’s tactical flexibility gives Chelsea more options as they transition into a new playing style.

Chelsea once found great success with a Portuguese-English defensive pairing in Carvalho and John Terry. In Veiga and Colwill, the club may have stumbled upon a modern version of that legendary duo—two young defenders with contrasting styles that complement each other perfectly.

While it’s too early to anoint them as successors just yet, the potential is clear. With Maresca now tasked with molding these young stars into a cohesive unit, Chelsea fans have every reason to be optimistic about the future of their back line.

Chelsea’s summer plans are already in motion, and it’s not just the flashy forward signings that will shape the club’s future. With players like Renato Veiga, Andrey Santos, and Djorde Petrovic returning stronger from loan spells, and a youth pipeline full of promise, the Blues are building something special.

If Veiga continues on his current trajectory, he could be the next great Portuguese defender to leave a lasting legacy at Stamford Bridge. And if paired with Colwill, Chelsea might just have the backbone of a title-winning team once again.