Pochettino to have face-to-face talks with exit-linked Chelsea defender

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino to have direct conversations with Levi Colwill

As per Daily Mail, Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino will have face-to-face talks with defender Levi Colwill this week to explain the plan going forward.

Colwill is free from international duty after lifting the U21 Euros title with England a couple of days ago. He was a part of the defence that did not concede a single goal on their way to winning the competition.

The 20-year-old was on loan at Brighton and Hove Albion last season and had an impressive year there. The Seagulls wanted to sign him permanently this summer, but Chelsea rejected their offer. Liverpool are linked with him for the last few days as well.

Coming back to the news, Pochettino will meet Colwill in person this week. Both of them will have a chance to outline their respective plans before an outcome is decided.

A few days ago, Chelsea offered a new deal to the latter, but he did not intend to sign it before meeting the manager. We would soon know where his future lies.

The 20-year-old is one of the highly-rated young defenders in England. Gareth Southgate wanted to include him for the senior national team in March, but an injury in January hampered those chances.

Regardless, what it shows is that the player is seen as good enough to mix up with the big boys and remain comfortable to perform at his best.

The issue Pochettino might have is that he has a defender in the squad of a similar profile and position to Colwill – Benoit Badiashile. The Frenchman was signed by Chelsea in January.

More Chelsea News

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• Chelsea are expected to make offer for Montpellier forward Elye Wahi

With no European football next season, there might not be many occasions of squad rotation for the league games. Hence, there could be a situation where either Badiashile or Colwill play very less football in the next 12 months. Therefore, the latter’s meeting with Pochettino is important. Chelsea and the manager must keep the defender at Stamford Bridge.