There has been a devastating injury blow within the Chelsea camp during the very first week of pre-season.
The Blues confirmed via their official website on Thursday that Levi Colwill, 22, has undergone successful surgery for an anterior cruciate ligament injury. As a general rule, ACL injuries generally sideline players for between six and nine months.
Colwill was a key player in Enzo Maresca’s team last season as the first choice centre-back, so to lose him for a lengthy spell feels quite significant.
Appearances Goals Yellow cards Red cards Minutes played
43 2 12 0 3,747
Levi Colwill for Chelsea across all competitions in the 2024/25 season
Chelsea fans have suggested signing Marc Guehi, the Crystal Palace and England central defender, to replace Colwill. Alternatively, perhaps Chelsea should reintegrate Renato Veiga despite suggestions he’s set to leave Stamford Bridge.
Levi Colwill playing for Chelsea against Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup final.
Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images
Levi Colwill flooded with messages from Chelsea teammates
While Colwill is likely to be reeling from such a serious injury, he’s received plenty of kind messages from his Chelsea teammates on social media
Wesley Fofana wrote on his Instagram story: “It’s going to be a long road but you’ll do it, you’ll come back even stronger, I’m with you in this difficult [time] my twins. I’m waiting for you.”
Meanwhile, Romeo Lavia posted on his Instagram story: “We’re ALL with you bro”
Marc Cucurella said on his Instagram story: “Speedy recovery Levi Colwill. Come back stronger amigo.”
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Trevoh Chalobah wrote on his Instagram story: “We are all behind you bro. You will be back stronger.”
Finally, Enzo Fernandez claimed on his Instagram story: “You will come back better than ever. We are with you bro.”
In fairness, the likes of Fofana and Lavia have first-hand experience of long injury layouts, so they should be a great support for Colwill during his rehabilitation.
Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill celebrate together after Chelsea win the Conference League.
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Predicting the Chelsea defence against Crystal Palace
Later this month, the Blues kickstart their Premier League season with a fixture at home to London rivals Crystal Palace.
Colwill would surely have been a nailed-on starter for the opening weekend, so it will be fascinating to see the centre-half pairing instead.
Maresca confirmed Fofana may be available against Palace, but he’s not played since March because of the latest in a long line of injuries. Therefore, we suspect the French central defender may be eased back slowly for his own good.
At the moment, Trevoh Chalobah and Tosin Adarabioyo would be our guess for the starting centre-backs against Palace.