Chelsea defender Levi Colwill is set for an extended spell on the sidelines after undergoing surgery to repair a serious knee injury, Afrosport reports.
The 22-year-old suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during his first training session following the summer break. Chelsea confirmed on Thursday that the England international had a scan before undergoing surgery to repair the damage.
A statement from the club read: “Medical assessments confirmed surgery would be the required course of action.
“Levi will now begin his recovery and be supported by the club’s medical department at Cobham during his rehabilitation phase.”
Colwill was a key figure in Enzo Maresca’s impressive debut campaign as Chelsea manager, making 35 Premier League appearances as the Blues secured a fourth-place finish and qualified for the Champions League.
He also featured in three matches in the UEFA Conference League and played five times in the Club World Cup, helping Chelsea win both competitions.
A graduate of the Chelsea Academy, Colwill has made 75 senior appearances for the club and scored three goals since making his first-team debut in August 2023.
ACL injuries typically require six to nine months of recovery, meaning Colwill is expected to miss the majority of the 2025–26 season, with a potential return date around April 2026.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Maresca admitted that Colwill’s injury may force the club to seek defensive reinforcements before the transfer window closes.
“It depends,” he said. “We need to wait and then we’ll see. We know each other from last year and you know in our way how important Levi has been.
“I spoke with him yesterday (Wednesday) and I told him if we achieve what we achieved last year, it’s also because of him. He was a main player for us.”
The Blues have a large squad and boast several options to call on in Colwill’s absence. The likes of Tosin Adarabioyo, Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, Josh Acheampong and Benoit Badiashile as well as newest arrival Jorrel Hato can fill the position
Chelsea are scheduled to face Bayer Leverkusen on Friday, followed by AC Milan, in their only pre-season friendlies. They will begin their new campaign at Stamford Bridge against Crystal Palace on Sunday, 17 August.
