Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed that signing a new centre-back is now a “priority” following the long-term injury to England defender Levi Colwill.

Colwill, 22, is set to miss most of the 2025/26 season after suffering an ACL injury during training earlier this week. The setback came just days after he returned for pre-season. The club confirmed that he has already undergone surgery.

Earlier reports suggested that Chelsea had no urgent plans to enter the transfer market for a replacement, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that the Blues were confident in their current squad — including new signing Jorrel Hato, who can play both at centre-back and left-back.

However, speaking on Friday as Chelsea wrapped up their pre-season tour, Maresca made his stance clear:

“It’s a priority for me to get a new centre-back. We will see if we go for it,” he told reporters, as quoted by Romano.

Chelsea’s defensive depth will now come under scrutiny as the club weighs whether to move quickly in the transfer market or rely on existing options to cover Colwill’s absence.