Levi Colwill reveals Liverpool icon helped him make Chelsea transfer decision after secret chat

Levi Colwill was heavily linked with moves to Liverpool and Brighton in the summer transfer window, but he was encouraged to stay at Chelsea

Levi Colwill has admitted that Adam Lallana persuaded him to stay at Chelsea despite interest from Liverpool. The 20-year-old defender was heavily linked with an exit from Stamford Bridge this summer following an impressive season-long loan at Brighton last season.

"I have had conversations with Adam," revealed Colwill, as quoted by the Mirror. "And he told me about how much of a good guy he (Pochettino) was and he thinks he is a really good manager and I took that on board when I was making my decision.

"When I finally met him (Pochettino), I realised everything Adam said was true. He (Pochettino) is a great manager, really makes me feel comfortable and allows me to play my best game.

"I think with him at the club, it has changed so much and now we want to kick on. I think the big thing for me is, on the first day I came in, putting an 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 makes me want to play my best for him. That’s a big difference, him showing that there are two sides whereas the majority of managers may just look at you like a footballer, which he doesn’t.

"That helps me play my best football. I know I’m going to improve. I can guarantee that. He’s such a good manager and he will push me, he won’t let me have any off-days, that’s what I need.

"Someone like me, if someone lets me go to sleep, I might just have a good day or a bad day. I need someone there to give me that kick up bum and say ‘keep going’. That’s what he does."

An impressive start to the season for Chelsea has earned Colwill a call-up