Blow: Levi Colwill
Chelsea Football Newsletter
Colwill injured the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee on Monday during Chelsea’s first training since returning from a break.
The 22-year-old has undergone successful surgery and now faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Colwill started 35 of Chelsea’s 38 Premier League games last season and Enzo Maresca stressed during a press conference on Thursday how key he is.
“We know each other from last year and, you know in our way, how important Levi has been,” he said.
“I spoke with him yesterday and I told him that if we achieve what we achieved last year, it is also because of him - and he was a main player for us. It (the injury) was in the first session on Monday, just in the last minutes of the session.”
Chelsea have already signed cover at left centre-back after signing Jorrel Hato from Ajax for around £37million.
The 19-year-old, who was previously scouted by Arsenal, has Champions League experience and has even captained Ajax before.
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Chelsea are also set to be boosted by the return of Wesley Fofana soon, which will increase their options in the heart of defence.
Fofana was forced to undergo hamstring surgery in April, but is now close to a return.
“Wes is back,” said Maresca. “He is training with us. I don’t think he is ready to get minutes in the next two games - but probably he can be available for the Palace game.
“This is big news because we start last season, the first five or six months, with Wes and Levi as our two central defenders.”