Levi Colwill has been offered a new contract at Chelsea, according to an exclusive report by Nizaar Kinsella in the Evening Standard.
Understandably, it’s not certain whether he will sign it yet – he needs to know what his role in the squad will be, pending talks with Mauricio Pochettino, whose official role starts tomorrow. Some players are expected to report for preseason on Monday, but after being called up for England in the June international games, Colwill will have an extended break.
The central defender has had two brilliant loans in a row and wants to know he will play an important role for the Blues. There is serious competition at centre back, but with Benoit Badiashile set to miss time with his injury picked up at the start of the summer, Colwill could get his chance right away.
The start of this season will therefore be a brilliant chance to show him that he is in line for plenty of minutes, and therefore get him to sign on for the long term.
Equally, if he rides the bench even with Badiashile out, it will be the confirmation he fears that he isn’t going to play as much as he wants or needs to continue his development.
Our upcoming friendlies and the competitive games starting the season which follow will be crucial for Colwill’s future – we can only hope he’s used well.