Chelsea transfer news: Enzo Maresca highlights two games that prove Levi Colwill replacement is needed

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has highlighted two matches which he feels proves the Blues hierarchy must give the green light to signing a new centre-back.

Earlier this month, Levi Colwill was ruled out for at least the majority of the season having suffered an ACL injury on the first day of pre-season training.

As such, there has been a debate over whether Chelsea can rely on their current options or should enter the transfer market for a replacement.

On Friday morning, Maresca emphatically revealed at a press conference that he wants to sign another centre-back, emphasising why Colwill is such an important part of his defence.

Club officials would seemingly prefer for Maresca to use the options in his squad with Trevoh Chalobah, Tosin Adarabioyo, Josh Acheampong, Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, Jorrel Hato and Aaron Anselmino all potential solutions.

Maresca highlights Colwill influence at Chelsea

However, Maresca has not shied away from talking up the influence of Colwill, taking the approach of highlighting two performances where Colwill was not chief orchestrator of the play from a deep position.

As quoted by the Daily Mail, the Italian said: "Wes (Fofana) played 45 minutes in that position. It was the first half against Bournemouth away. Probably one of the worst halves since we started.

"Benoit (Badiashile) playing in the middle, the Conference League final, first half, we were losing 1-0. We changed with Levi and won 4-1.

"It's not the same. The one in the middle, in my way, is so, so, so important."

Will Maresca get his way?

Despite Chelsea facilitating a wide array of incomings and outgoings, the situation ahead of the last two weeks of the summer transfer window has become complex with the West Londoners also needing to ensure that they comply with a UEFA punishment for breaching financial regulations.

Most Chelsea supporters would argue that signing a new centre-back and RB Leipzig playmaker Xavi Simons would be ideal additions, but there have been persistent reports regarding the signing of Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho.

Unless an unforeseen sale is made, Chelsea may be unable to do all three, and that would leave Maresca having to find a solution in his current setup as well as accept that he has been undermined to a certain degree.

The situation could arguably be resolved by keeping Tyrique George at the club rather than signing Garnacho, but Maresca hinted to the media on Friday that signing a left-winger was also a priority of his.

Much may depend on how Chelsea's defence handles an impressive Crystal Palace attack in their first Premier League game of the season on Sunday afternoon.