Levi Colwill is learning – and he’s learning fast.

The defender was central to Enzo Maresca’s pre-season plans, accruing the fourth-most minutes of any Chelsea player across our six fixtures.

He has played in the heart of defence, as he did against Inter on Sunday, and also at left-back. Although with the opposite full-back often inverting, that role can morph into the left centre-back in a three.

Colwill says such intricacies are symptomatic of Maresca’s philosophy and coaching. With our Premier League campaign around the corner, the 21-year-old is not afraid to understate the progress he is making under our new head coach.

‘The gaffer plays similar to a chess game,’ Colwill explains. ‘Every piece needs to be in the right place to set up a move, set up a goal. It’s a lot more demanding mentally.

'I always need to be aware of where I am on the pitch and how I can help the team move up the pitch. That is the main thing.

‘The level of concentration is crazy compared to other managers, I would say. I enjoy it and it can tap into my strengths. He’s been really good with me personally and everyone in the team. I’m really understanding the way he wants to play very fast.

Colwill continues: ‘As a coach, he is very hands-on. He gives every player the same amount of time and effort. Everyone can see it on the pitch, the difference.

'The players are much more comfortable with the system. You can tell by the patterns of play and doing what the gaffer wants, which is working. We are creating opportunities to score.’

Colwill has noted the significant improvement from game to game this summer, and he is confident that trajectory will continue as the season progresses.

Bolstering that tactical development on the pitch is a collective unity off it. Colwill says our U.S. Tour was a fantastic opportunity for the squad to bond, and for new players to be welcomed into the fold.

‘When you have a strong base,’ says Colwill, ‘you can go into any challenges headfirst.’

The defender may only be starting his second season as a senior Chelsea player, but he has already assumed a leadership role in the group. On tour, for example, that included making young Academy stars Josh Acheampong and Tyrique George feel at home.

‘Growing up at Chelsea has helped me,’ he acknowledges. ‘I know the Academy staff, I know a few players coming up, so it helps me be a bit more comfortable, and also growing up at Chelsea shows you how to be mature, how to be a adult quickly.

‘That has helped me settle and become a senior player in the squad, and also pass on advice to any players that need it. That definitely comes from the Academy and how they want their players to be and how they want their men to be.’

Such was Colwill’s influence last term that he was named captain on a couple of occasions. That was one of the standout moments of his year, the highs and lows of which he believes will stand him in very good stead for the upcoming campaign.

‘It was very different to being out on loan. Also, we had good bits of the season and bad parts, so I learned so much from it. I’ve grown as a person and as a player.

‘Playing left-back for most of the year was challenging, but I understand the position a lot more, so whenever I do play centre-half, I understand what’s needed of a full-back, and what’s needed of a centre-half to help. So there have definitely been loads of improvements from last season.’

Now it is up to Colwill to keep earning Maresca's trust and making one of those spots in the defence his own when the real stuff gets underway on Sunday.