Mauricio Pochettino sets out Levi Colwill plan after thinly-veiled Thomas Tuchel dig

Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino has hinted that Levi Colwill will play a significant role for the Blues going forward as he prepares to sign a new six-year contract

Mauricio Pochettino has made it clear that Levi Colwill will play a prominent role for Chelsea as the defender prepares to sign a new long-term contract.

Colwill, 20, has yet to make a senior appearance for the Blues but made a major impression in the Premier League on loan at Brighton last term; so much so that the Seagulls lodged a £30million bid for his services earlier in the transfer window. Liverpool are also understood to be admirers of the talented young centre-half.

But Colwill is now poised to put an end to speculation over his future after agreeing terms in principle over a new six-year deal.

Blues head coach Pochettino, who officially started his new role at the start of July, was full or praise for Colwill ahead of the club’s pre-season clash against Borussia Dortmund, and also hinted that he was looking forward to seeing more of the England Under-21 star.

Speaking in the United States, Pochettino said of Colwill: “At the moment I need to see him and know each other better. He is a fantastic talent. We are talking also how we can improve his game in all of the areas. He is so relaxed, so calm. I enjoy when I talk with him, great character, great personality. So happy to have him in the squad and the possibility to work together.”

Pochettino’s comments on Colwill came shortly after the defender released a statement on social media effectively confirming he would not be returning to Brighton this year.

The Chelsea academy graduate, who is set to put pen-to-paper in the coming days, also appeared to take a subtle swipe at former boss Thomas Tuchel after thanking the Seagulls for giving him a platform to play when “no one else did”.

“To Brighton and Hove Albion. I am proud to have played a small part in the clubs success last season,” he wrote on social media. “You gave me an opportunity to play in the Premier League when no one else did. I thank Graham Potter for first bringing me to the club and to all the employees at the stadium and training ground for making it a great place to perform and develop