Todd Boehly has already ‘made decision’ on Chelsea star’s future for Pochettino

There aren’t too many Chelsea players who can convincingly claim to have enjoyed their 2022-23 Premier League campaign, but one who can is expected to be a big part of the Blues’ plans next season. Todd Boehly has spent over £550million on new players since completing a takeover of the club 12 months ago. With three matches of the season left to play, the end result is looking like an at-best eleventh-place finish and no European football to enjoy next term.

With both Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter getting the sack over the course of a miserable campaign, Mauricio Pochettino is set to become the next man tasked with reversing Chelsea’s fortunes and while the first job will be to reduce the number of under-performing stars currently overflowing in the dressing room, it would appear that a much lower-profile is finally set to return and fight for a place in the Argentine’s new-look side.

Levi Colwill has been on loan with Brighton since August and hasn’t looked back. The 20-year-old centre-back has played his part in the Seagulls’ remarkable success under Roberto De Zerbi and formerly Graham Potter, making 19 appearances in all competitions for the south coast club.

With Brighton now almost certain to qualify for Europe next season, Colwill’s performances have caught the eye of other Premier League clubs, but just when the opportunity to try and snap up one of English football’s rising stars appeared to be on the horizon for would-be suitors, it now appears that England U21 international will finally be given the opportunity to prove his worth at Stamford Bridge under the club’s new manager.

Journalist Matt Law told the London is Blue podcast: “Pochettino does occasionally switch from a back four to a back five but he’s more of a back four kind of guy. The club are adamant that Levi Colwill is coming back and being part of the squad.

“I know some people are a little bit disbelieving of that and think there may be some room for manoeuvre, but the club are absolutely insistent.”

That claim has been given further strength by the comments of ata football journalist Rob Pratley, who had previously claimed that Pochettino wanted Colwill to be part of his potential future squad.

Pratley Tweeted: “I understand two of the main points Pochettino has impressed the club on is his roadmap for Levi Colwill and Mykhailo Mudryk. The former is viewed as an integral core of the defence, whilst Pochettino has expressed his belief the latter can become an extremely effective goalscorer.”

Despite clear indications that Pochettino is willing to work with Colwill at Chelsea, Brighton boss De Zerbi hasn’t completely given up all hope of keeping the left-sided defender with the Seagulls beyond the end of the season.

Speaking to the Argus after Brighton’s 3-0 away win at Arsenal, De Zerbi said: “He’s a good guy, he’s improving a lot. This year his improvement has been fantastic and I hope he can stay with us.”