Levi Colwill has revealed that discussions with former Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana influenced his decision to snub interest from Anfield and stay at Chelsea
Colwill, 20, flourished on loan at Brighton & Hove Albion last year, where spent the 2022/23 season as Lallana’s team-mate on the South Coast. The defender impressed under the guidance of Roberto De Zerbi as he started 13 Premier League matches and helped the Seagulls secure Europa Conference League qualification for the first time.
His performances at the Amex led to Colwill, who has been called up to the senior England squad for their upcoming matches against Ukraine and Scotland later this month, being the subject of interest from Liverpool as Jurgen Klopp targeted a left-sided defender suitable of one day perhaps succeeding Virgil van Dijk.
However, despite the interest from the Reds, Colwill eventually decided to pen a new six-year deal at Stamford Bridge, with the option of a further year. Later that month the 20-year-old made his first Premier League start for the Londoners during the 1-1 draw with Liverpool in West London.
And speaking on his decision to commit his future to Chelsea after summer talks with new manager Mauricio Pochettino, Colwill revealed a glowing appraisal from Lallana, who worked with the Argentine at Southampton 10 years ago, helped him make up his mind.
“I have had conversations with Adam,” Colwill told the Mirror. “And he told me about how much of a good guy he (Pochettino) was and he thinks he is a really good manager and I took that on board when I was making my decision. When I finally met him (Pochettino), I realised everything Adam said was true.
“He is a great manager, really makes me feel comfortable and allows me to play my best game. I think with him at the club, it has changed so much and now we want to kick on.”
On Lallana’s influence on his career so far, Colwill added: “I am someone who is a chilled person and sometimes I need someone to give me a bit of a push. And at first I did not really understand why he (Adam) was always on me.
“But then once it clicked in my head, I realised that he was only trying to help me. I was happy and lucky to play alongside him and he definitely helped me.”
