Colwill setback but Blues upbeat

Chelsea are weighing up their options to address a defensive gap after centre back Levi Colwill suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, manager Enzo Maresca said ahead of their opening English Premier League match against Crystal Palace on Aug 17.

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Colwill picked up the injury in training and has undergone successful surgery, with the 22-year-old England international expected to miss much of the new season.

It typically takes some six to nine months for a player to recover from an ACL injury and return to action, leaving Chelsea without a key figure in their backline.

"He is okay but aware that he has to be a long time out," Maresca told reporters on Aug 15.

"It's a big loss for us. He was so important for us last season. We are able to create chances and attack in the right way if we are able to build in the right way. Levi was a huge part of that.

"The club know exactly what I am thinking. I think we need a central defender, but we are also looking for an internal solution."