Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has called for the club to sign a centre-back following Levi Colwill’s long-term injury.
Colwill is set to miss the majority of the 2025/26 campaign after suffering an ACL injury. The England international has undergone successful surgery on the issue this month.
Maresca admits Colwill’s injury is a big blow to his side’s plans, admitting that only Tosin Adarabioyo is able to replicate the former’s role in build up.
Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s Premier League opener against Crystal Palace, Maresca urged the board to reinforce the squad.
“When we build, we build with Levi in the middle. Last year, we played 64 games and we played 64 games with Levi and Tosin [Adarabioyo]. Now Levi is out, the only one who can do that job well is Tosin,” he said at his pre-match press conference.
“We have the Premier League and Champions League. These kind of players, the rest can adapt. We have [Jorrel] Hato but he never played as the guy in the middle last season. It is not about central defenders. Yes he is a central defender, but what does he have to do? Can he do that? It is different.
“We also have Benoit [Badishille] and Wes [Fofana] who have problems, and this is why the club know exactly what I think about central defenders.”
When asked whether the board would grant a new defensive signing, Maresca said: “We are trying to find a solution internally, but the club know exactly what I think – we need a central defender – but we are looking internally.”
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