Maresca Reveals Chelsea's Defensive Plans Amid Colwill Injury

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca confirms pursuit of new defender following Levi Colwill's injury. 

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca expressed his desire to bolster the team's defense after their 2-0 pre-season friendly win over Bayer Leverkusen at Stamford Bridge. Following Levi Colwill's ACL injury, which is expected to keep him sidelined for most of the upcoming season, Maresca confirmed that strengthening the defense is his top priority. Despite already investing over £200 million in new signings this summer, Maresca indicated that the club will likely return to the transfer market to reinforce their defensive options.

Chelsea's defensive lineup is looking solid with Enzo Maresca at the helm, boasting a talented pool of center-backs. 

The options include:

Established Players:

Wesley Fofana: A regular starter, often pairing with Levi Colwill

Trevoh Chalobah: A versatile defender who can play in various positions

Benoit Badiashile: A skilled center-back with experience in the Premier League

Other Options:

• Tosin Adarabioyo: A defender who's been part of Chelsea's plans, potentially offering competition for starting spots
• Josh Acheampong: A young defender looking to make his mark
• Axel Disasi: Expected to leave this summer after Aston Villa's loan in January.

Maresca's approach to defense involves a high level of intensity and organization, focusing on quick transitions and rotations to catch opponents off guard. With this talented group of defenders, Chelsea's defensive unit is shaping up to be a key component of their success under Maresca.

He said: “It’s a priority for me to get a new centre back. We will see if we go for it.”

Chelsea kicks off its 2025/26 Premier League season on Sunday, August 17, 2025, hosting Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge in a 2 pm kickoff, live on Sky Sports in the UK. Here's a snapshot of Chelsea's Premier League fixtures:

August

17th: Crystal Palace (home, 2 pm)

23rd: West Ham United (away)

30th: Fulham (home)

Key Matches

September 20th: Manchester United (away)

October 4th: Liverpool (home)

December 27th: Aston Villa (home)

January 3rd: Manchester City (away)

Mark your calendars for an exciting season.