Once a Southampton teenager, Levi Colwill is a regular Premier League fixture without doing much of note as a Saint. But even then, the Saints will yearn for him to return fitter than ever after his recent ACL fatigue.
The Premier League's foundational tournaments also stick with the Big-Six marker like the top-flight's. Although they are well competent, Southampton's young lads have to live with that disparity.
In a way, that forces them to step up from their comfort zone and put their entire skillset on display. Without engrossing too much into what loan exits they can get at good English clubs.
It clicks smoothly for the majority but sometimes finer prospects need multiple windows of opportunity to finally set foot among the match-winners category.
Chelsea's centre half Levi Colwill had an arduous road to the top at Southampton. However, short stays in the blue and whites of Huddersfield Town and Brighton thereafter rewarded him with a senior Blues spot.
Saints will hope Colwill fares decently upon Premier League comeback
That might explain why Colwill is still resentful towards the Saints. As a payback, the fanbase may distance themselves from him but it's tough not to sympathise with the 22-year-old's circumstances.
As per a Chelsea announcement: "Defender Levi Colwill has today undergone successful surgery to an anterior cruciate ligament injury."
Colwill's return schedule will become clear as time passes, but he can see the first half of Premier League reduced from his individual campaign. It's bad news for the versatile defender but recovering properly should be the priority as Southampton fans have seen with Will Smallbone how injuries can slow down a player's progress.
The Saints midfielder has to win favour from scratch wherever he goes playing. Lastly, let's see how both Smallbone and Colwill fare in their respective lineups by the end of the season.