Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed the club are exploring options to strengthen their defence following a serious injury to centre-back Levi Colwill.
The 22-year-old England international suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during training ahead of Chelsea’s opening Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace on Sunday. Colwill has undergone successful surgery but is expected to miss the majority of the season, with recovery from an ACL injury typically taking six to nine months.
“He is okay, but aware that he will be out for a long time,” Maresca told reporters on 15 August. “It’s a big loss for us. He was hugely important last season. Our ability to attack effectively relies on building play the right way, and Levi was a big part of that. The club knows exactly what I’m thinking. I believe we need another central defender, but we’re also looking at internal solutions.”
Chelsea, who finished fourth in the Premier League last season and won the Club World Cup by beating Paris Saint-Germain in July, have been active in the transfer market this summer. Signings include Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens, Jorrel Hato, Liam Delap and Estevão Willian. The transfer window closes on 1 September, and Maresca has not ruled out further arrivals.
“We have a fantastic squad and we’re happy with it, no doubt,” he said. “But when the transfer window is open, anything can happen. We’re a better team compared to a year ago because we’ve worked together every day for a season.”
The Italian also issued a warning about Sunday’s opponents. Palace shocked Manchester City to win the FA Cup in May and defeated reigning league champions Liverpool in the Community Shield earlier this month.
“They are very difficult opponents,” Maresca said. “They have been beaten in two finals, probably the two best teams in England over the last 10 or 15 years.”