Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has revealed that he is keen to sign another centre-back this summer. His demand comes just days after it was confirmed that Levi Colwill will miss a significant amount of this season due to injury.
The England international suffered an ACL injury on Chelsea’s first day back in pre-season which is expected to rule him out for the majority of the 2025/26 campaign. Colwill has undergone surgery on the problem, but his absence leaves Maresca without one of his stalwarts on the eve of the new Premier League season.
It had previously emerged from Stamford Bridge that Chelsea were content with their defensive options, but Maresca has now declared he wants to replace Colwill with a new centre-half.
Following the Blues’ win over Bayer Leverkusen, he sent a pointed message to the higher powers at the club during an interview with Channel 5. Asked whether he hopes Chelsea look for another defender this summer, Maresca replied: “It’s a priority.
“Levi is a fantastic player. What we achieved last season is because of him. He played a lot of games with me, I love him. We are going to miss him. We are trying also to find different solutions.”
Chelsea have been linked with a host of defenders already this summer, and it would be no surprise if Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi quickly becomes a top target with the Blues having pushed to re-sign their former academy graduate previously.
However, it remains to be seen whether Maresca is granted his transfer wish given that there are already nine other centre-backs on the Chelsea books at present. Tosin Adarabioyo, Wesley Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah, Benoit Badiashile and Axel Disasi will all feel they are capable of slotting into Colwill’s role.
Youngsters Aaron Anselmino and Josh Acheampong may also come under consideration. Renato Veiga has proven that he can be deployed anywhere across the backline, but the Portugal international is expected to depart this summer amid interest from a host of European outfits.
New signing Jorrel Hato is another strong contender to fill in, but the Dutchman may need time to adjust to life in the Premier League and has been signed predominantly for left-back depth.