The Blues have suffered a harsh blow. Levi Colwill is one of their best young defenders. He needs surgery after hurting his knee in training. He has an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury as the ligament tore. Chelsea says the surgery was successful. He will begin rehab at Cobham with the medical team.
Training injury hit early
Colwill got hurt in just the first training session back after Chelsea’s win in the Club World Cup. It was a shock. The reports say he felt something during that pre-season session and tests showed it needed surgery. It is a sad moment for him and for the team.
How long will the recovery take?
He is expected to miss a huge part of the 25-26 season. ACL injuries often need six to nine months to heal. And in certain cases’ more. Chelsea said they do not yet know exactly when he can return. But that timeline is what many doctors expect.
Squad shifts and replacements for Chelsea
Because Colwill is out, Chelsea’s manager Enzo Maresca is thinking hard about defense. He says they might need a new centre-back. Meanwhile, other players will have to step up. Names like Trevoh Chalobah, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoît Badiashile are in the mix. The new signing Jorrel Hato could also fill in some of the gap.
What this means for Chelsea?
It changes a lot. Colwill was central to how Chelsea set up defence and built from the back. When he played, he did more than defend: he helped start attacks. Without him, Chelsea must alter how they defend, how they build up play. Fans will see different lineups. More pressure on others. Also, Chelsea may look into signing someone new before the window closes.
Author’s Insight
This is a big test for Chelsea. When a key player like Colwill is lost, teams often falter. But Chelsea have strength in depth, and good coaches. If they handle this right, they can survive. They need to make smart decisions now, support the young defenders, maybe bring someone in. How they do this might shape their whole season. If they stay calm, adapt fast, and avoid further injuries, they might even grow stronger.
