Levi Colwill says he’s “got to play” next season as the England U21 international gears up for a return to Chelsea.
The defender played a starring role as the Young Lions won the European Championships at that age level for the first time since 1984.
Chelsea have offered Colwill a long-term contract but the 20-year-old wants clarity over his role in the squad going forward.
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Mauricio Pochettino is plotting talks with the centre-back, who spent last season on loan at Brighton.
The Seagulls have already seen a club-record £40m offer rejected by Chelsea, while Manchester City and Liverpool also retain an interest.
Pochettino has a number of options in central defence ahead of his first season in charge of the Blues.
Thiago Silva, Benoit Badiashile, Wesley Fofana and Trevoh Chalobah are all available even despite a max exodus at the club in recent weeks.
Colwill is expected to travel with the rest of the Blues squad to the US for their pre-season tour next week and has now sent a clear message on his future as he bids to break into Gareth Southgate’s senior England squad.
“I’ll speak to my family, speak to everyone I need to and make a decision,” he told The Times.
“I’ve got to play at the end of the day to hopefully get there and go to the next camp.”
