Enzo Maresca Provides Worrying Chelsea Injury Update | OneFootball

Chelsea Face Fresh Setback as Levi Colwill Injury Clouds Maresca’s Pre-Season Plans

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has confirmed that central defender Levi Colwill sustained an injury during the first week of pre-season, casting doubt over his availability for the club’s summer preparations and possibly the early part of the new campaign.

Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s opening pre-season friendly against Bayer Leverkusen, Maresca revealed the setback came during the very first training session under his watch. “We had a problem the last two days with Levi Colwill that we don’t know how long he’s going to be out,” Maresca said. “Hopefully not too long but for sure it’s a problem for us.”

Chelsea’s players returned to Cobham on Monday, marking the beginning of Maresca’s tenure after his appointment as head coach in June. The injury to Colwill, who was an integral part of the squad last season, will no doubt be a concern for the new manager as he looks to implement his philosophy.

“It was the first session on Monday. Just in the last minutes of the session, he felt something,” Maresca explained. Asked for further details on the nature of the injury, he added, “We need to wait, we don’t know yet.”

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Importance of Colwill in Chelsea’s Tactical Setup

Colwill featured in 42 matches last season and played a pivotal role in Chelsea’s possession-based system. His comfort on the ball and reading of the game make him ideally suited to Maresca’s preferred approach, which prioritises building from the back and controlling possession in deeper areas.

“I spoke with him yesterday and I told him if we achieve what we achieved last year, it’s also because of him,” Maresca said. “He was a main player for us.”

While Chelsea’s squad does boast defensive depth, including recent arrival Jorrel Hato from Ajax and existing options like Tosin Adarabioyo, Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, Josh Acheampong and Benoit Badiashile, Colwill’s absence is likely to be felt, particularly in the early stages of adapting to Maresca’s system.

Transfer Window Implications

Although Maresca stopped short of confirming any immediate activity in the transfer market, he did not rule out reinforcements should Colwill’s injury prove serious. “It depends,” Maresca said. “We need to wait and then we’ll see.”

The club has been active already this summer, and Colwill’s fitness situation could prompt Chelsea to explore further defensive options. Much will depend on the medical update expected in the coming days.

Maresca’s Challenge to Build Momentum Amid Early Obstacles

Managing a club like Chelsea brings both expectation and scrutiny. For Maresca, navigating a disrupted pre-season start without one of his key players adds a layer of complexity to his bedding-in process.

Colwill’s absence is not just a fitness concern, it affects tactical planning, leadership in defence and squad dynamics. If Chelsea are to hit the ground running under Maresca, they will need clarity on Colwill’s condition and a swift decision on whether to bolster their back line in the short term.