Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino says Levi Colwill will get playing opportunities this season - but he must earn them.

Colwill has impressed his new manager in preseason.

Pochettino told chelseafc.com: "At the moment I need to see him and get to know him better. He is a fantastic talent of course.

"We were talking about the things that also the way that we can help improve his game in all areas. He is so relaxed, calm and I enjoy talking to him. He has great character and personality. I am so happy to have him in the squad and to have this opportunity to work together.

"Well, we assume that he is going to play. I was clear with him when talking, we were talking about him having the possibility to compete with different team-mates.

"For sure, he is going to play. The possibility to play because Benoit [Badiashile] is injured and higher because he is left and will compete with Benoit. He needs to deserve, it's not because of one players' injury, different types of combinations can happen."

"He needs to show that he is ready to play."