Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has insisted that the club must bring in a new central defender before the transfer window closes, stressing that an internal solution will not be enough.
The Blues open their Premier League campaign at home against Crystal Palace on Sunday, but they will do so without Levi Colwill, who played a crucial role in last season’s successes, including the UEFA Conference League triumph and the Club World Cup victory.
The England international has suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury that could rule him out for up to nine months, raising serious concerns over squad depth in defence.
Maresca first hinted at the need for defensive reinforcements after Chelsea’s pre-season match against AC Milan, but he made his position clear at Friday’s press conference ahead of the Palace clash.
I think we need a central defender. We are looking for an internal solution but, as I said, the club knows exactly what I think, he told reporters.
Explaining why a simple reshuffle is not an ideal option, Maresca highlighted Colwill’s unique role in Chelsea’s build-up play.
It’s not on the left side. When we build, we build with Levi in the middle. It’s different to the player in the middle on the left side, he said.
Last year we played 64 games and we played 64 games with Levi and Tosin. Now Levi is out. The only one that can do that job well is Tosin. But we have Premier League, Champions League, these kind of players.
Maresca noted that while new signing Jorrel Hato and others could adapt, their inexperience in Colwill’s specialised role presents a significant risk.
Hato is a new one, he never played as the guy in the middle last season. So it’s not about being a central defender. Yes, [he is a] central defender. Can he do that? It’s different, it’s not just about that,” he explained.
The Italian also revealed that other defensive options are limited due to injuries, with Wesley Fofana and Benoît Badiashile both currently unavailable.
And this is the reason why I said that the club knows exactly what I think about central defenders, he added.
it is virtually impossible for a new centre-back to be signed in time for Sunday’s clash with Crystal Palace, meaning Maresca will rely on Tosin Adarabioyo or one of the other available defenders to deliver against the reigning FA Cup and Community Shield winners.
