Chelsea are set to be without one of their key defenders for the majority of the 2025/26 season after an injury picked up on the first day of pre-season.
Levi Colwill suffered a serious ACL injury after the very limited break the Chelsea players were handed off the back of their Club World Cup success.
Enzo Maresca saw the England international in his best possible defensive lineup, and he was a key part of their dominant victory in the final against PSG.
It has been revealed Chelsea broke player union rules with the break they gave their squad from the last season to the current one, however Maresca’s hands were tied and he is now feeling the repercussions.
Chelsea Training Session
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Chelsea fans notice worrying Levi Colwill recovery development
Colwill has already been working hard to get back to fitness after undergoing successful surgery, and he has been spotted in the gym as he continues his recovery.
Chelsea fans noticed in the picture that the defender had lost a lot of muscle in his leg following the injury, pointing out that he is going to have to work even harder during his rehabilitation.
One user said: “He’s lost so much muscle in his left leg” whilst posting a photo of the defender in the gym.
Another added: “I’m not sure which route he took, but most ACL surgeries use a certain muscle to reattach everything. Either from your thigh, quad, etc. Honestly, it’s pretty scary. He’ll be back better than before, though.”
I’m not sure which route he took, but most ACL surgeries use a certain muscle to reattach everything. Either from your thigh, quad, etc. Honestly, it’s pretty scary.
He’ll be back better than before, though.
— ~ (@CFCdruw) October 12, 2025
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A third stated: “I hope when he’s back the fans won’t rush him. Look at Fofana, he needs time to adapt and get full fitness.”
I hope when he’s back the fans won’t rush him
Look at fofana he needs time to adapt and get full fitness
— SSJ4 lil 🐐 (@lil_ssj4) October 13, 2025
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Finally, one user said: “It’s actually better that the ACL happened in his strong leg, it will be easier for him to regain the muscle.”
Wesley Fofana throws his shirt to the Chelsea fans after beating Lincoln City in the Carabao Cup.
Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Chelsea’s ongoing defensive injury crisis
After Colwill’s injury woes, the Blues have also seen a number of other defenders suffer issues that have kept them out of first team action.
The win against Liverpool saw Reece James and Jorrel Hato end the game at centre-back, with no recognised central defender available for action.
It is expected that there will be some returns for the first game back against Nottingham Forest. Wesley Fofana will have returned from his concussion, while Trevoh Chalobah will be back from his suspension.
The fixtures in the Premier League and Champions League are set to come thick and fast for the Blues, and Maresca will need options to rotate in all positions to keep everyone fit and healthy.