Chelsea defender Levi Colwill has revealed that ex-Brighton teammate and former Liverpool star Adam Lallana convinced him to sign a new Chelsea contract.

Colwill spent last season on loan at Brighton before returning to Chelsea this season. He has started every game for Chelsea this season.

Lallana played under Mauricio Pochettino at Southampton and convinced Colwill the Argentine tactician is the right manager for him.

“I have had conversations with Adam,” revealed Colwill.

“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.”

The defender was not disappointed when he finally met his new boss as he said: “When I finally met him (Pochettino), I realised everything Adam said was true.

“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.”