Chelsea Hit by Major Blow as Levi Colwill Suffers ACL Injury, Set for Months on Sidelines
Chelsea’s plans for the 2025/26 season have been rocked after rising star Levi Colwill suffered a serious anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, ruling him out for several months and forcing manager Enzo Maresca into an urgent defensive reshuffle.
According to respected football journalist Ben Jacobs, the 22-year-old centre-back sustained the injury during a routine training session at Cobham earlier this week, landing awkwardly after a challenge. Scans later confirmed the dreaded torn ACL, one of football’s most severe injuries. While the club is yet to issue an official statement, internal sources reveal Chelsea are already preparing for a long-term absence.
A Crushing Setback for Club and Country
This injury comes at a devastating time for Colwill, who had been tipped for a breakthrough campaign as a key figure in Chelsea’s defensive rebuild. After impressing on loan at Brighton and returning to Stamford Bridge last season, Colwill was establishing himself as one of the Premier League’s most promising young defenders.
Known for his calm distribution, aerial dominance, and rare left-footed balance at the back, Colwill was viewed as a cornerstone of Maresca’s long-term plans. His absence now leaves Chelsea scrambling for solutions, with alternatives such as Axel Disasi, Benoît Badiashile, and Trevoh Chalobah expected to step up.
For England, the news is equally damaging. With 2026 World Cup qualifiers on the horizon, Colwill’s hopes of becoming a regular under Gareth Southgate have suffered a major blow. Missing a large portion of the season could see him slip down the pecking order in a highly competitive defensive pool.
Recovery Timeline and Challenges Ahead
An ACL recovery typically ranges from six to nine months, though setbacks can extend the process. Chelsea’s medical team is expected to take a cautious approach to ensure Colwill returns fully fit, both physically and mentally, given the challenges such injuries pose to a player’s confidence and mobility.
Support Pours In
Since the news broke, fans, teammates, and fellow professionals have flooded social media with messages of encouragement. While optimism remains for a complete recovery, Chelsea’s immediate defensive plans are in limbo, and Colwill now faces the biggest challenge of his young career.
As the Blues push forward with their ambitions this season, Colwill’s injury serves as a stark reminder of football’s unforgiving nature—and how quickly promise can be halted by a single moment on the training pitch.