Chelsea are set to move forward without seeking a replacement for Levi Colwill despite the England defender being ruled out for most of the 2025/26 season. The 22-year-old suffered an ACL injury during a training session earlier this week, just days after rejoining the squad for pre-season. Medical scans confirmed the extent of the damage, and the player has since undergone surgery.
According to respected transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, the London club has no plans to trigger any immediate transfer response or “emergency plan” to fill the gap left by Colwill. Instead, the Blues are placing their trust in the current squad, which includes versatile summer signing Jorrel Hato, capable of playing both as a centre-back and left-back.
The decision signals Chelsea’s confidence in their existing defensive depth, even in the face of losing one of their key young players for an extended period. Colwill’s absence is expected to be felt, but the club appears committed to stability rather than reactive spending in the market.
Meanwhile, over in Spain, Sevilla have rebuffed an approach from Serie A side Napoli for right-back Juanlu. The Italian club reportedly submitted a €17 million formal bid for the Spanish defender, but the LaLiga outfit turned it down. Romano reports that Sevilla are holding firm in their valuation, demanding €20 million plus a sell-on clause before entering into any agreement.
As Chelsea focus on internal solutions to their injury setback, the Juanlu negotiations highlight the broader European transfer market’s fine balance between player demand and club valuation. Both stories underline how high-level football decisions often extend beyond the pitch, with strategy and patience playing a decisive role.