Chelsea need central defender after Levi Colwill injury, says Enzo Maresca
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Chelsea's Levi Colwill suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury and is expected to miss much of the new season.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – Chelsea are weighing up their options to address a defensive gap after centre back Levi Colwill suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, manager Enzo Maresca said ahead of their opening English Premier League match against Crystal Palace on Aug 17.
Colwill picked up the injury in training and has undergone successful surgery, with the 22-year-old England international expected to miss much of the new season.
It typically takes some six to nine months for a player to recover from an ACL injury and return to action, leaving Chelsea without a key figure in their backline.
“He is okay but aware that he has to be a long time out,” Maresca told reporters on Aug 15.
“It’s a big loss for us. He was so important for us last season. We are able to create chances and attack in the right way if we are able to build in the right way. Levi was a huge part of that.
“The club know exactly what I am thinking. I think we need a central defender, but we are also looking for an internal solution.”
Chelsea are looking to build on last season’s success after finishing fourth in the Premier League and winning the Club World Cup by beating European champions Paris Saint-Germain in July.
With the close-season transfer window closing on Sept 1 for Premier League clubs, Maresca was not ruling out further incomings at Stamford Bridge.
The west London club have been active in the transfer market, signing Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens, Jorrel Hato, Liam Delap, Estevao Willian, among others.
“We have a fantastic squad. We are happy with the squad we have, no doubt. When the transfer window is open, anything can happen,” the Italian, who will enter his second season at Chelsea, said.
“We are a better team compared to one year ago because we worked together every day for one season.”
Maresca was wary of Palace, who stunned Manchester City to win the FA Cup in May and edged out reigning Premier League champions Liverpool on penalties in the FA Community Shield last Sunday.
“Very difficult. They beat in two finals probably the two best teams in England over the last 10 or 15 years,” he said.
His opposite number, Austrian Oliver Glasner, was similarly complimentary.
He said: “We are facing the Club World Cup champion.
“They played a fantastic tournament, especially the final. I watched it live. It really was a fantastic performance.
“They added a few players. They were a great team. They are a great team. They have a fantastic manager with Enzo Maresca. A clear style of playing.”
His star players Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi are subject of significant transfer interest.
On their futures, Glasner said: “Marc trains the entire week with us, every single session – the same with Eze if that was your next question – so they prepare in the best way for the Chelsea game on Sunday.” REUTERS
