Results have been mixed since the last international break, with back-to-back Premier League victories over Bournemouth and Everton followed by a loss to Tottenham Hotspur and Wednesday’s narrow Carabao Cup exit on penalties at Liverpool.

However, Colwill underlined that this Blues side is still learning under manager Xabi Alonso and taking every opportunity to gel and improve.

‘Every day we're learning and we're coming closer together as a team,’ said the defender. ‘I think we take something from each performance, win or lose.

‘We're really starting to become a unit and believe and want to fight for each other. I think this season, when we go into really good form, we can try and push up the league as much as we can, and hopefully win a competition in there too. But we've got some really big games coming up and we're excited for them.’

The next of those games arrives in Saturday’s early kick-off, when Chelsea host Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League.

Ahead of that fixture, Colwill pointed out that the learning process is not just for the team, explaining how as a player at the highest level you never stop developing as an individual either.

‘I feel like you always learn things when you play; every season I learn something new,’ he said, before sharing the most important lesson he has gleaned as a footballer.

‘Probably for me, compared to when I first started, making my debut, it'd probably just be to try and meet the team and be a big character. When I was younger, it's a lot harder and I know I was much quieter than I am now.

‘I like to try and talk as much as possible, give them as much confidence as possible. So probably just be a leader and speak that bit further.’

Another source of confidence is Alonso’s presence in the dugout. The footballing ability our manager still shows on the training pitch demands the respect of his players, while Colwill was impressed by our manager right from their first conversation in the summer.

‘His technique that he shows every day on the football pitch is insane. He could still be playing out there somewhere,’ added Levi.

‘So when you're doing sessions with him and he can make a pass that the majority of players out there can't do, it really humbles you a bit.

‘My first conversation with him was in pre-season. It was just a get-to-know-him conversation, to know a little about him.

‘Of course, he would've heard a little bit about me from the other coaches and players maybe. But it was a really chill conversation. It gave me a lot of confidence and I was really excited to get to work with him, and I have been really happy working with him.’