Just as Chelsea were getting into the rhythm of pre-season preparations, the mood at Cobham was shattered by devastating injury news.
One of their most reliable defenders, Levi Colwill, has been ruled out for a lengthy period after suffering a serious ACL injury—on his very first day back.
ACL Injury Strikes Colwill in First Pre-Season Session
After enjoying a three-week break following Chelsea’s Club World Cup triumph, Colwill returned to training with the squad for the 2025-26 campaign.
But just minutes before the end of the opening session, disaster struck.
The 22-year-old went down with what looked like a worrying knee injury.
Scans later confirmed the club’s worst fears—he had torn his ACL.
Without hesitation, Chelsea opted for immediate surgery, which, fortunately, went smoothly. Still, the damage has already been done.
Surgery Goes Well, But a Lengthy Spell on the Sidelines Awaits
The club confirmed last night that Colwill’s operation was successful.
But despite the good outcome, he’ll be out for months—possibly the bulk of the season—mirroring the same injury and recovery timeline Tottenham’s James Maddison is now facing after his own ACL rupture earlier this week.
It’s a massive setback for Colwill, who had been a near-constant figure in Chelsea’s starting XI last season and was instrumental in their Conference League and Club World Cup victories.
Chelsea Weighing Their Options in the Transfer Market
With one of their top defenders out indefinitely, Chelsea are now actively considering whether to dip back into the transfer market for a replacement.
One name that keeps coming up is Marc Guehi.
The Crystal Palace centre-back has long been admired by the Blues, especially since he plays on the left side of the defence like Colwill.
Interestingly, Guehi came through Chelsea’s academy before being sold to Palace in 2021 for £18 million—just before the Boehly-Clearlake ownership took over.
Now, Chelsea could be forced to buy him back, with Palace reportedly valuing him at £40 million as he enters the final year of his contract.
Maresca Pays Tribute to Colwill’s Influence
Speaking at a press conference ahead of Chelsea’s upcoming friendlies against Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan, manager Enzo Maresca acknowledged how big a blow this is for the team.
He shared that he had spoken to Colwill personally: “We don’t know how long he is going to be out.
For sure, it’s a problem for us. I told him that what we achieved last season was also because of him—he was a main player for us.”
There’s no sugar-coating this one—Colwill’s injury is a big loss for Chelsea and for England.
But with the transfer window still open and options being considered, the Blues will now have to act fast to find a solution at the back.
