Chelsea Star’s Season in Jeopardy After Training Injury

Young defender faces lengthy spell on sidelines following ACL surgery

Chelsea FC faces a significant setback as talented centre-back **Levi Colwill** has been ruled out for a substantial portion of the upcoming season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during training.

ACL Blow for Promising Talent

The 22-year-old England international, who recently underwent successful surgery, will now begin a rigorous rehabilitation process. The club confirmed that **Colwill** will receive full support from their medical department at Cobham.

“The 22-year-old had reported back to Cobham for pre-season at the start of this week, before unfortunately sustaining the injury in training,” Chelsea said in a statement.

ACL injuries are notoriously difficult, typically requiring anywhere from six to nine months for a player to fully recover and return to competitive play. This timeline casts a long shadow over **Colwill’s** availability for the majority of the 2025-26 campaign.

Impact on Chelsea’s Season

**Colwill** was a key figure for the West London club last term, making 43 appearances across all competitions and playing a role in their Club World Cup triumph in July. His absence leaves a void in Chelsea’s defence as they prepare to open their Premier League season against Crystal Palace on August 17.

The recovery period for ACL tears can be challenging. For instance, fellow Premier League defender **Virgil van Dijk** returned to top form after his ACL injury, but it took over eight months from his surgery in October 2020 to his full return to regular starts in mid-2021 (Liverpool FC, 2021).

Looking Ahead

Chelsea, who secured a fourth-place finish last season, will need to adapt their defensive strategies without **Colwill**. His consistent performances made him an integral part of the squad, and his absence will undoubtedly be felt in the early stages of the new league campaign.