Chelsea are currently in the process of building towards the 2025/26 season without one of the players who has been crucial since Enzo Maresca took over.
Levi Colwill is set to miss a large portion of the upcoming campaign after suffering a serious knee injury in the first training session back for pre-season.
The Blues’ first friendly against Bayer Leverkusen saw Trevoh Chalobah fill the role of left centre-back, while youngster Josh Acheampong was given a start in the backline too.
Despite Tosin Adarabioyo and Wesley Fofana also being available, as well as new signing Jorrel Hato being able to feature in the role, there will no doubt be a desire amongst some to bring in a replacement for the England international.
Chelsea FC v Paris Saint-Germain: Final - FIFA Club World Cup 2025
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Renato Veiga will not replace injured Levi Colwill at Chelsea
One player who has not yet been mentioned is Renato Veiga. The Portugal international was nowhere to be seen in the matchday squad for their first friendly of the summer.
This is despite playing for half a season at centre-back for Juventus, after getting his wish to leave Stamford Bridge back in January.
Despite the swap looking as close to like-for-like as Chelsea have available to them right now, it looks as if he remains very much out of the club’s plans.
Fabrizio Romano has stated that despite Colwill’s injury, the plan is to part ways with Veiga before the end of this transfer window.
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He said: “Chelsea consider Renato Veiga for sale even after Levi Colwill injury… and Veiga wants new chapter. Talks to advance in the next days with several clubs keen after Atléti deal off.”
🚨⚠️ Chelsea consider Renato Veiga for sale even after Levi Colwill injury… and Veiga wants new chapter.
Talks to advance in the next days with several clubs keen after Atléti deal off. pic.twitter.com/hOypPoxRMn
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 10, 2025
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Renato Veiga applauds supporters after FC Astana v Chelsea FC - UEFA Conference League 2024/25 League Phase MD5
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Enzo Maresca wants a Levi Colwill replacement
After Chelsea’s win over Bayer Leverkusen, Maresca was asked about the club’s plans now that Colwill looked set to miss the majority of the campaign.
The boss seemed to suggest that it was a priority for him to replace the defender, given how important he was for the Blues in his first season in charge.
The Blues’ second friendly against AC Milan will give them another chance to work out how they can fill that gap with their current players, before looking to enter the market again.
If they did decide to do so, Marc Guehi remains an option, with his contract at Crystal Palace running out in a year’s time.