Chelsea defender Levi Colwill has undergone surgery for a serious knee injury and is expected to be sidelined for the majority of the season. The 22-year-old sustained an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during his first training session after the Club World Cup on Tuesday. ACL injuries typically require a recovery period of six to nine months, which means Colwill will be a significant loss for Chelsea.

Colwill was a key player for Chelsea last season, starting in 35 of their 38 Premier League matches, contributing to their qualification for the Champions League. He also played a crucial role as a substitute in the Conference League final and during the Club World Cup, helping Chelsea secure their first two major trophies under the current ownership.

When asked if Chelsea would need to sign another defender to replace Colwill, manager Maresca stated, 'It depends - we will wait and see. You know in our way, how important Levi has been. I spoke with him yesterday and I told him that if we achieve what we achieved last year, it is also because of him - and he was a main player for us.'

Chelsea's defensive options now include new signing Jorrel Hato, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Trevoh Chalobah, and Josh Acheampong. The team will need to rely on these players to fill the void left by Colwill's absence.

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