Enzo Maresca wants Chelsea to sign a new central defender to replace the injured Levi Colwill after also losing Tosin Adarabioyo for the Premier League opener against Crystal Palace.
England’s Colwill is expected to miss most of the 2024-25 campaign after suffering an ACL injury in training last month.
The 22-year-old started all-but three of Chelsea’s Premier League games last season.
Asked for his thoughts on replacing Colwill at his pre-Palace press conference on Friday, Maresca said: ‘The club know exactly what I think.
‘I think we need a central defender. We are looking for an internal solution but as I said, the club know exactly what I think.’
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Maresca’s desire for defensive reinforcements will only increase after losing Adarabioyo for Sunday’s clash with Crystal Palace.
Adarabioyo was unable to complete Saturday’s training session and Chelsea are unwilling to risk him against Palace, according to The Times.
The setback is not believed to be serious but Chelsea will not risk him further injury against Crystal Palace.
Chelsea signed Adarabioyo, 27, on a free transfer last summer after he ended his four-year spell with Fulham.
With Colwill and Adarabioyo both out, Maresca may call upon Wesley Fofana, who is fit despite missing the pre-season friendlies against Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan.
Trevoh Chalobah, who impressed on loan at Crystal Palace last season, and Josh Acheampong are both available to face FA Cup holders and Community Shield winners Crystal Palace.
Maresca has called for another major signing despite Chelsea already spending around £250m on new recruits this summer.
One of Joao Pedro or Liam Delap will lead the line against Palace after impressing in pre-season and the Club World Cup.
Crystal Palace, meanwhile, could be without influential attacker Eberechi Eze as he closes in on a move to Tottenham.
Reports say Eze may miss Sunday’s London derby as Crystal Palace continue negotiating a £68m transfer deal with Spurs.
Chelsea and Crystal Palace played out two 1-1 draws in the Premier League last season.
Eze earned Palace a point in this fixture back in September 2024 after Nicolas Jackson gave Chelsea a first-half lead.
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