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News
- 1 hours ago
Confirmed: Chelsea IGNORE Enzo Maresca's transfer advice
Cameron Smith
- Updated: 19 Aug 2025 11:18 BST
- 4 min read
News
Chelsea are officially unlikely to sign a new centre-back before Transfer Deadline Day, despite the fact that Levi Colwill is likely to miss the entire season with an ACL injury.
The England international has successfully undergone knee surgery after suffering the injury during Chelsea’s first pre-season training session, and it’s believed that he will be sidelined for the majority, if not all, of the 2025-26 campaign.
Current ETV
Levi Colwill
D (C)
Chelsea
Levi Colwill
D (C)
Chelsea
ETV Range
€53.2M - €65M
Academy starlet Josh Acheampong started in place of Colwill versus Crystal Palace on Sunday, with Tosin Adarabioyo and Benoit Badiashile also injured, and he impressed in his match-long duel against Jean-Philippe Mateta.
However, the 19-year-old currently lacks Colwill’s ability to break down defences with incisive passes and this was a key reason why Chelsea were ultimately unable to leave Stamford Bridge with anything better than a 0-0 draw.
Chelsea unlikely to sign a new centre-back
During his pre-match press conference ahead of Chelsea’s clash against Palace, Enzo Maresca told reporters: “You know how important Levi was last season, for the way we want to play.
“We said many times that we can create chances and to attack in the right way, if we can build in the right way. Levi was a huge part of our build-up and now he is out.
“We are trying to find a solution internally, but the club knows exactly what I think and we will see what happens. I think we need a central defender.”
Meanwhile, he described signing a new centre-back as a “priority” in the immediate aftermath of Colwill’s injury.
However, reports suggest that Chelsea will not dip back into the market for a replacement this summer and this has now been confirmed by The Athletic, who claim the Blues hierarchy don’t believe there is a suitable replacement for Colwill on the market.
Chelsea are also confident they have enough depth in defence, despite the expected departures of Alfie Gilchrist, Axel Disasi, Ben Chilwell and Renato Veiga, and they are therefore unlikely to sign a new centre-back before Transfer Deadline Day.
Jorrel Hato has already arrived at the club from Ajax, and is a versatile player who can play at left-back or centre-back, while Maresca also has Wesley Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah, Acheampong, Tosin and Badiashile at his disposal.
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