Levi Colwill credited boss Mauricio Pochettino and former team-mate Adam Lallana for playing an important role in deciding to commit his future to Chelsea.
The 20-year-old spent last season on loan at fellow Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion but penned a new six-year deal with Chelsea in August and has played a prominent part in Pochettino’s side so far this season – starting each of the first four Premier League games.
Brighton wanted to sign the defender on a permanent deal this summer but Colwill says Lallana, his former team-mate at the Seagulls and who played under Pochettino while at Southampton, as well as his new manager helped convince him to commit his long-term future to Chelsea.
“I’ve had conversations with him (Lallana) before about him (Pochettino),” Colwill said.
“He told me how much of a good guy he was. Obviously Adam has played under him and thinks he’s a really good manager.
“I took that on board when making my decision before I met him, and then when I finally met him I realised everything he said was true. He’s a great guy and a great manager.
“I think the big thing for me was the first day I came in, him (Pochettino) just putting his arm around me and showing me that he respects me as a person and also as a player.
“That allows me to work my hardest and I want to play my best for him. I think that’s a big difference, him showing that.
“The majority of managers might just look at you as a footballer, but he doesn’t and that helps me play my best football.
“I have a lot of respect for Brighton and everything that happened last year, but like I said before, I’ve been at Chelsea since I was nine, I love the club and that was my decision. I stand by it.”
Colwill played a key part in helping England’s Under-21 side to win the European Championships in July and has earned his first senior England call-up for the upcoming games against Ukraine and Scotland this month.
But the Blues defender insists there is much more to come, and believes Pochettino will help to bring the best out of him.
“Just working under him in general, I know I’m going to improve. I can guarantee that because he’s such a good manager. He will push me, he won’t let me have any off days, and that’s what I need,” he said.
“He’s a great manager, he really makes me feel comfortable and allows me to play my best game.
“I think him at the club has changed it so much, and now we’re ready to kick on and hopefully start picking up wins.
