Chelsea Manager Maresca Calls for New Centre-Back Signing

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has told the club’s board he needs a new centre-back signing before the transfer window closes, insisting it is important for the club to strengthen the position in the wake of his team’s injury woes and tactical concerns.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Maresca admitted to needing reinforcements in central defence in the aftermath of Chelsea‘s injury problems with Colwill having suffered a serious ACL injury in training, which will rule him out for the majority of the campaign, Maresca is concerned by his current centre-back options, while pointing out how Wesley Fofana did not impress when trialled in the crucial role during pre-season, describing it as “one of the worst halves from us”.

MOTIVATION BEHIND THE DEMAND

Colwill’s injury is a major blow for Chelsea, with the England international having been established as a lynchpin of Maresca’s tactical system, making all but four appearances throughout last term. Maresca currently has the likes of Trevoh Chalobah, summer signing Tosin Adarabioyo and breakout star Josh Acheampong, whose stunning equaliser sparked the turnaround in midweek for the Blues, under consideration to fill the void, but injuries and fitness concerns over Badiashile and Fofana are making the situation more urgent. Maresca warned that the central position of a back three is “so, so, so important”, hinting at a lack of trust in his internal options for the task. Chelsea are considering internal options to fill the defensive role after Colwill’s injury.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR CHELSEA?

Chelsea begin their Premier League campaign on Sunday with a home game against Crystal Palace. Chelsea’s first Premier League match is indeed against Crystal Palace, and the Blues finished the season fourth, aiming to close the gap on the top teams. Palace, who came 12th last term, will be their first test. Chelsea’s squad depth in defence will be stretched, particularly with Colwill sidelined for the next several months, and their need to bring in a reliable new centre-back is a pressing one with games against Manchester City and newly promoted Southampton in the following week posing an early test for the Blues’ ambitions.