Mauricio Pochettino already knows what he must do to ensure Levi Colwill remains a Chelsea player heading into the upcoming campaign. The 20-year-old is coming off the back of a superb European Championships with England Under-21's as he helped his country win the entire tournament without conceding any goals which also saw him named in the team of the tournament.
The first six months of 2023 had already been brilliant for Colwill after he played a crucial role in Brighton securing Europa League football for the 2023/24 campaign. His displays on the south coast also saw Brighton return to try and sign him permanently but their interest was swiftly knocked back by Chelsea
In the weeks following Brighton's £40million bid being rejected, Liverpool have also showed an interest. Despite initially being given a firm response, the Reds remain interested, football.london understands, but Chelsea are still determined to keep hold of the young defender.
Pochettino has also made it very clear what will happen with Colwill once he begins pre-season preparations with the Blues. "He is a Chelsea player and in the last few months [on loan] at Brighton he was playing really well," he told Chelsea's website. "He is one of our players and I need to talk with him when he arrives next week,’ Pochettino said.
"I need to get a feel for him. I need to hear what he has in his mind, what he expects. And then, of course, for him to listen to what I expect from him." In his first official press conference as Chelsea manager, Pochettino also revealed he had spoken directly to both Colwill and Madueke after the latter made a transfer promise that he will bring Colwill back to west London.
"We spoke yesterday with Levi and Noni. One I know, Noni, from Tottenham, in the Under-18s. Of course Levi I know. We wish them all the best. We're waiting for them to be in the team. I think they will fly to America and join us."
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After a full campaign in a senior environment, Colwill's pre-season in 2023 looks set to be very different to his time away with Chelsea 12 months ago. According to The Athletic, Colwill was excited to potentially be part of the senior squad for their USA tour. But Thomas Tuchel barely spoke a word to him, which lead him to believe he was just there to make up the numbers.
Pochettino has already planned talks with Colwill and that will likely include his vision for the role the Cobham graduate will play in his plans. A contract offer is on the table for Colwill but he wants first-team assurances from Pochettino that he will likely learn more from in his first face-to-face conversation with the Argentine.
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