Enzo Maresca issues clear transfer demand to Chelsea board ahead of season opener | OneFootball

Enzo Maresca has stated he wants a new central defender before the transfer window closes as he addressed the media before Sunday’s game against Crystal Palace.

Chelsea were rocked by the news Levi Colwill will miss the majority of the season after picking up an ACL injury in the first training session back after the post Club World Cup break.

Colwill has established himself as a key member of the team, and he’s also vital to how Chelsea play under Maresca.

Maresca issues transfer demand to Chelsea

Chelsea now face a difficult decision of whether to enter the market or trust the current options within the squad, with Maresca previously stating he wanted a new defender.

It looks likely Trevoh Chalobah and Tosin Adarabioyo will start against Crystal Palace, whilst the Blues also have talented youngster Josh Acheampong, as well as Benoit Badiashile and Wesley Fofana.

Maresca wants a new centre back to replace the injured Colwill. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

There’s an element of risk to sticking with the current options given Acheampong’s inexperience, and the fitness records of Fofana and Badiashile.

Badiashile is expected back next month, whilst it’s unclear if Fofana will be fit for Sunday, and the Frenchman missed both games against Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan.

It had been reported Chelsea won’t sign another centre back, but ahead of the Premier League opener Maresca stated he wanted a new defender.

“We are trying to find a solution internally but the club know exactly what I think,” he told his pre-match press conference.

“I think we need a central defender. We are looking for an internal solution but as I said, the club know exactly what I think.”

Chelsea looking to sell Veiga and Disasi

Whilst Maresca wants another centre back, Chelsea are still focused on trying to move two of the current crop on.

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Renato Veiga and Axel Disasi are surplus to requirements, but as of yet a move away has yet to materialise with the clock ticking.

Veiga saw a move to Atletico Madrid fall through earlier this summer, whilst Disasi has attracted interest from a number of clubs, the most recent of which was Wolves.