Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has been handed a massive conundrum ahead of the new season.
Maresca will be without Levi Colwill for the majority of the campaign and needs to find a way to replace an individual who was such a key player for him last term.
In total, the defender made 43 appearances in all competitions, helping Chelsea to win the Club World Cup and Conference League.
Maresca had hoped that Colwill’s injury was not serious, but it has turned out to be an ACL issue that has required surgery.
Chelsea legend Frank Leboeuf is seen at UEFA Champions League game
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Frank Leboeuf urges Enzo Maresca to put his trust in Tosin Adarabioyo and Trevoh Chalobah
Summer signing Jorrel Hato is a left-footed defender who can play in central defence, so he could be one option to replace Colwill.
Former Chelsea star Frank Leboeuf, though, thinks Tosin Adarabioyo and Trevoh Chalobah are the solution.
Discussing how Maresca can replace Colwill on ESPN FC, the Chelsea legend said: “You’re not replacing someone like Colwill simply and easily. They’re going to struggle a little bit, but I want to believe that Tosin and Chalobah can do the job.
“Chalobah came back from a loan at Crystal Palace and has been very, very good since he came back and grew up a lot I would say, so we have to trust the two players. They don’t have any other choice.”
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It might be a case of the Chelsea manager having to start both Adarabioyo and Chalobah this season.
Maresca has revealed that Wesley Fofana could start against Crystal Palace on Sunday — which is great news for the Blues — but he has not been able to stay injury-free himself.
Chelsea also have the option of dipping into the transfer market and signing a new centre-half, with the window still open.
Chelsea have been linked with Marc Guehi and several other names this summer.
Tosin Adarabioyo and Levi Colwill of Chelsea during a training session at Chelsea
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Will Chelsea sign a new centre-back to replace Levi Colwill?
Despite the links with Guehi and others, Chelsea do not seem desperate to bring in a new central defender.
It has been claimed that Chelsea signing a centre-back hinges on Chalobah’s future. If the 26-year-old goes, then they could turn to the market. If not, then nothing is likely to happen.
Ultimately, it is not impossible that Chelsea purchase a new centre-back after Colwill’s injury. But all of the noise coming out of the club suggests that it is not a priority and that Maresca will put his trust in what he already has.