Levi Colwill FULL Press Conference — Chelsea vs Western Sydney Wanderers — Pre-Season 2026

[0:00] How are you feeling after last season, your match has come back at the very end? [0:10] I think I'm ready to go. I think having a tiny taste there in the last season really gave me that extra motivation [0:18] to come back to pre-season with that fire in my belly and ready to go again and push on from there. [0:28] The club have been linked with signing a new centre-back. Do you get consulted when the club are looking at centre-backs? [0:35] Because you're the guy who's going to play next to whoever is signing. [0:39] No, of course, the club are going to sign whoever they believe is the best centre-back to come in and play. [0:45] He could be playing alongside me, he could be playing against me. That's down to the club and whoever comes in, [0:50] I know he'll be a really good player. [0:53] Obviously, the last year has been pretty difficult for you. I was just wondering what it's been like [1:00] because you got injured off the back of the club and it was the last game you played for the club and back. [1:07] Take us inside your head, because it was this time last year, wasn't it? [1:11] Yeah, it was the first day back of pre-season last year. It was really tough to get my head round, [1:18] but I'm a strong believer that everything happens for a reason, so I just try and take it in my stride. [1:24] Seeing the boys on the pitch every day obviously hurt a lot, but I got over it and I'm back now [1:31] and I feel like I'm a stronger person mentally and physically and I feel like I'm a better person for it. [1:36] I think you've spoken previously about being on the sidelines and that was quite hard. [1:41] You had to take yourself away and find distractions. I'm wondering if you had to do the same this time. [1:46] How do you sort of dealt with the process? [1:49] Yeah, of course, I had to find something to keep my head on and try to distract me when I could [1:55] because it was very tough not doing what you love to do every single day. [2:01] You've got to find something new and you've got to try and add some new characteristics to yourself, [2:06] which I've done and I think that's my advice for anyone out there. [2:10] If you're going through a big injury like that, try and take your mind away from it [2:13] and try and improve yourself in different ways because that's the easiest way to try and get over an injury like that. [2:18] Does it want you to start really involved? [2:24] Yeah, definitely. When you can't do nothing to affect the game on the pitch, you feel helpless. [2:32] That's our fight at times. Luckily, I've got a great team there that I can trust all the time and believe in [2:38] to work hard and try and win for me. [2:42] How's it been so far working under Diaby? I just wanted to ask, because we've obviously heard a lot about [2:51] how it seems like to attack from a defender's point of view, what are the differences? [2:55] What have you liked since working with him? [2:58] Yeah, it's an honour to play under a manager like him. He's been so good so far. [3:06] Especially with players like me, even like a defender, being able to have the freedom to play passes [3:11] and show off your qualities on the ball. You know, that's what I want to do as a defender. [3:15] I like to create attacks and show off my passing range, which he allows me to do. [3:20] So, so far, you know, he's been really good to work under him. Training sessions have been good. [3:25] Hopefully we can take that into tomorrow and show everyone how much we've improved. [3:29] Have you got a preference playing three at the back or four at the back? [3:32] Because obviously we've seen this later because it's a team thing. [3:38] No, I don't have a preference. Whatever suits the team the most and helps us win the most games, [3:42] I'll play whatever formation, not fast. [3:46] You said you're a big believer that everything happens for a reason. [3:49] I suppose, while that can be true, it must have been a very difficult thing to get your head around [3:56] to work out what the reason for the injury was. [3:59] Yeah, definitely. You tell yourself, you know, everything happens for a reason, [4:02] but you start doubting yourself. [4:05] Because like I've said before, you know, you come off winning the Club World Cup, [4:09] feeling on top of the world and then an injury like that happens, it's like, [4:12] it kills everything, it kills the momentum, you know, out for a long time. [4:17] But you've got to stay positive, you've got to believe in yourself and trust the process, [4:21] which I've done and I felt like, you know, that helped me a lot for when I did come back [4:25] towards the last few games of the season to be, you know, strong and hungry to try and be the best player I can be [4:31] and help the team the most. [4:33] You obviously needed, especially in the early days after the big support network around, [4:36] you just wanted to do most, but were there any leagues or why? [4:41] Oh, I had so many old teammates, teammates now. [4:48] I had so many good people reach out to me and, you know, it meant so much to me. [4:52] I think I had a couple of players from every team I've played for, [4:56] and, you know, it means a lot because, you know, it shows that people still care about you [4:59] and that also gives you that motivation to believe in yourself to come back. [5:03] Having come back in the final few games of last season, obviously it helped you [5:08] going into the pre-season, how do you look ahead to this year in terms of personal ambitions and roles? [5:14] Is it something you would write down in a journal or on your phone in terms of taking things off [5:19] and what sort of things you can do? [5:21] No, I kind of know my targets in my head, you know. [5:23] I want to try and take my game to the next level this year. [5:26] I want to be regarded as one of the best centre-backs in the league this year, 100%. [5:31] I think coming back for the last three games I think I played last season, [5:35] I think the quality I showed proves that I can be. [5:38] But I've just got to be consistent and show it all the way through this season [5:42] and hopefully, you know, I can help my team and lead them on to good things this year. [5:46] Hi Levi, if I know rightly, is your dad a Liverpool fan? [5:51] I think you grew up watching a lot of Liverpool. [5:53] Can you tell me a bit about the sort of Xabi Alonso aura and stuff like that [5:57] and how the boys feel about him, especially with that sort of background you've got? [6:01] Yeah, of course, he was an amazing player. [6:04] Won, I think it was everything there is to winning football. [6:08] So, you know, we got really proud to play under him. [6:12] And, you know, on the training pitch when he shows his quality that he still has, [6:15] it shows that it never goes. [6:17] He's just spraying balls for no reason. [6:20] It's like, it's a perfect pass. [6:22] So sometimes you can be a bit jealous, but he's an amazing manager to work under [6:26] and he was obviously a crazy player. [6:28] So to learn under him will be so good. [6:31] Tell us a bit about what Alonso has been like on the training ground. [6:34] We've heard as well, you've had those two behind closed doors games as well. [6:37] What were they like playing? [6:39] What was the messaging and stuff like that? [6:41] Yeah, he's very hands-on, which I prefer, you know, as a manager, [6:44] you want him to give you the message directly, which he's done. [6:48] He spoke to me a lot and tried to help me. [6:51] And I think he's tried doing that with all the boys and putting on his game plan [6:54] and trying, making us play the football he wants us to play, [6:57] which is really creative, attacking free-flowing football, [7:00] which I think we're doing really well. [7:02] We've shown it in training and I think you'll see it tomorrow too. [7:06] We'll go ahead. [7:09] Hi, David. [7:10] Nick Marking, Paramount at 10. [7:12] You're speaking really positively about the impact that Xavi's had so far. [7:16] So is there a genuine belief that this team can get back to where Chelsea fans are going to be? [7:22] Yeah, definitely. [7:23] Obviously, like I said, we're an amazing manager [7:26] and I really do believe the players that we've got in the change room [7:29] are some of the best players in the world. [7:32] And when everything comes together, we can really be a strong force [7:35] and push forward this season. [7:37] Have you had a chance to check it out? [7:41] Not much, not much. Yeah, I want to. [7:43] We've seen a few things, but I feel like we've got a few more days. [7:47] I think get the game out of the way tomorrow and then hopefully we have some free time to go [7:50] and see the rest of Sydney. [7:52] Alright, Charlotte from Football 360. [7:56] Have you been surprised by the reception of the Chelsea fans here at Sydney? [7:59] Yeah, I think the open session yesterday really opened my eyes up. [8:03] I think the fans are really good. [8:05] There's so many of them and I'm really excited for tomorrow. [8:07] And one more. What have you learned so far in the Javi? What would you say? [8:11] I feel like it's just, you know, playing free-flowing football. [8:16] I feel like I've played under a lot of managers that want you to be in the right position [8:19] and be really rigid. [8:21] But with him, it's, you know, play what you see, find the spaces [8:25] and really exploit them with fast pace, which I think has worked so far. [8:30] And hopefully it carries on. Thank you. [8:34] Time for three more. We'll start with Simon, then we'll finish there. [8:37] Hey, Levi. Obviously Chelsea are desperate to get back in the Champions League, [8:41] but you yourself missed the chance of playing Champions League for the first time. [8:45] So is that part of your personal hunt that let man Chelsea's [8:48] to get back in the Champions League in the first attempt? [8:51] Yeah, definitely. I think it hurt a lot last year that I didn't get the chance [8:54] to play in the Champions League. [8:56] You know, it's like every young kid's dream to get a chance to hear the anthem. [9:01] So I definitely want to do everything I can to get the team back in there [9:04] and hopefully have a chance to play next season in the Champs. [9:07] And in terms of Chelsea, has he asked you, I know Rhys is the captain obviously, [9:12] but has he asked you to sort of be a part of his leadership group [9:15] and sort of step forward as a leadership leader? [9:18] Yeah, I think we've got a leadership group and I think he knows that, you know, [9:22] I'll be a part of it and the leadership qualities I have and how I like to help the team. [9:26] I think we've got a few players that will be in that [9:29] and a few characters, you know, that will push every day. [9:32] And I like to think that I am one of them. [9:34] Levi, obviously without that, you're playing football this year. [9:38] What are your expectations as a team? [9:40] How far do you think this team can go to really challenge Premier League in terms like Arsenal? [9:45] Yeah, I feel like we can challenge them. [9:47] Like I already said, I feel like the players we've got in our team are ready to do that. [9:51] And, you know, having a manager of this quality now, I think when it all comes together, [9:55] we're definitely going to be able to challenge them and push for the Premier League. [9:58] Obviously, Cole Palmer had it in years last year. [10:02] What have you seen from him in pre-season heading into the senior position? [10:05] Yeah, we all know how good Cole is and you see it every single day. [10:10] Of course, last year was a difficult season for him with injuries, [10:13] but, you know, we've never taken away the belief of how good he is [10:16] and he can turn it on whenever he wants. [10:19] One final one. [10:21] David, Football 360 in Australia, [10:23] they're just interested in how the atmosphere or the mood around the club has changed [10:27] and the change of management this season. [10:28] And it's coming to the other side of the world to play and spend some time together. [10:31] Does that actually help the team Bond to get ready for a change campaign? [10:35] Yeah, definitely. I think it's really positive, you know, [10:38] for us to be able to spend this time together and really connect [10:41] and, you know, be on the pitch every day and work hard. [10:43] You know, it's a blessing in disguise and it helps us a lot [10:46] and I feel like we're going to be ready for this season. [10:48] Have you spent some time with the young Australian or Australian-born [10:51] party in the squad since you've been here? [10:53] What did you tell us about him? [10:55] Yeah, of course. An amazing player. [10:58] Really, really bright future and we all hope he goes as far as he can. [11:03] Super. Cheers, Will. Thank you. [11:05] Thanks very much. [11:06] Thanks very much. [11:07] Cheers.