Levi Colwill is a man on a mission.
After missing almost the entirety of last season through injury, and being left out of the England World Cup squad, he wants to make up for lost time this season.
The defender has already spoken positively of the impact Xabi Alonso has had since arriving at Chelsea as our new manager, and now Colwill is hoping to showcase what he can do as our pre-season fixtures get underway – starting with tonight’s clash with Western Sydney Wanderers, which you can stream live on CFC+.
Colwill feels that bonds can be forged in this period, with the players in each other’s company while out in Australia, and the defender has offered an insight into what life on pre-season tour is like.
‘The spirit is good, it's really positive,’ the defender told us from our base in Sydney.
‘For us to be able to spend this time together as a squad, and really connect is so important. We’re also able to be on the pitch every day and work hard.
‘I actually think it's a blessing in disguise [being together all the time] and it helps us a lot, it creates those strong bonds and I feel like we're going to be in a good position to be ready for this season.’
As well as Colwill, there’s a strong chance that Cole Palmer will also be hoping to make up for lost time too, with the forward also enduring a stop-start season through injury and being omitted from Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad.
Levi, however, is under no illusions as to how good, and important, Palmer is to this Chelsea side.
‘Listen, we all know how good Cole is,’ the defender explained. ‘And we see it every single day.
‘Of course, last year was a difficult season for him with injuries, but we've never taken away the belief of how good he is.
‘He’s a huge player for us and he can turn it on whenever he wants.’
Watch live with CFC+!
Xabi Alonso will take charge of his first game as Chelsea manager on Tuesday when the Blues face Western Sydney Wanderers and you can watch the match live on CFC+.
CFC+ costs just £14.99 for the whole year, which grants you access to ALL our pre-season games, plus a whole host of exclusive and behind-the-scenes Chelsea content. Click to subscribe today.