Levi Colwill 'to hold crunch talks with Mauricio Pochettino over Chelsea future'

The 20-year-old is yet to make his breakthrough into the Blues' first team, but he made a name for himself during a loan spell with Brighton & Hove Albion last year.

Despite struggling with injuries, Colwill was an important player for Roberto De Zerbi, registering two assists in 22 matches and starting 13 Premier League games for the Seagulls.

The defender's contributions helped Brighton seal Europa League qualification with a sixth-placed finish, and he shone for England's Under-21s during their recent run to the European Championships crown.

Colwill started five matches for the Young Lions, who did not concede a single goal throughout the tournament en route to their first Under-21 Euros title since 1984.

The Englishman will now enjoy a week off before reporting back at Cobham for pre-season, but according to the Daily Mail, he will sit down to discuss his future with Pochettino in the coming days.

Colwill has naturally attracted interest from elsewhere following his stellar campaign with Brighton, who have already failed with a £30m bid to sign him permanently.

Brighton have apparently now turned their attention to Calvin Bassey instead, but Liverpool are also reported to be admirers of Colwill, whose contract at Stamford Bridge runs until the end of the 2024-25 season.

The report states that Colwill and Pochettino will meet in person, and the Argentine will set out his vision for the centre-back and how he fits into his long-term plans in West London.

The Blues have reportedly warned suitors that Colwill is not for sale under any circumstances, and they are planning to tie the 2003-born defender down to fresh terms to ward off interest.

However, Colwill will seek assurances over his route to the first team before putting pen to paper on a new deal with Chelsea, who he has represented since joining their academy in 2011.

The England Under-21 international was also loaned out to Huddersfield Town for the 2021-22 season and scored two goals in 32 games for the Terriers, but he is still waiting to make his competitive Chelsea debut.

The Blues have already let two experienced defenders in Kalidou Koulibaly and Cesar Azpilicueta leave this summer, while long-serving left-back Baba Rahman has departed for Greek side PAOK.

The futures of Ethan Ampadu, Malang Sarr and Trevoh Chalobah are also unclear, while 38-year-old Thiago Silva was briefly linked with a summer exit before affirming that he wishes to see out the final year of his contract.