Enzo Maresca, Chelsea’s manager, has expressed the need for a new central defender to replace the injured Levi Colwill, who is expected to miss most of the 2024-25 campaign due to an ACL injury. Colwill, a key player for Chelsea last season, started all but three Premier League games. Maresca stated that the club knows exactly what he thinks, emphasizing the need for a central defender ¹.

Chelsea’s Defensive Issues

Chelsea’s defensive woes deepened with Tosin Adarabioyo’s absence from training, making him doubtful for the Crystal Palace clash. Adarabioyo, signed from Fulham last summer, has been a solid addition to Chelsea’s defense. Maresca may call upon Wesley Fofana, who is fit despite missing the pre-season friendlies against Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan. Fofana’s injury history has raised concerns, and this season will be crucial for him to prove his durability ¹ ².

Potential Lineups

For the Crystal Palace match, Maresca might opt for:
– Defensive Pairing: Trevoh Chalobah and Tosin Adarabioyo (if fit) or Josh Acheampong could partner Chalobah in central defense.
– Attack: Joao Pedro or Liam Delap could lead the line against Crystal Palace, following their impressive performances in pre-season.

Crystal Palace Team News

Crystal Palace has its own set of injuries and transfer speculation. Star playmaker Eberechi Eze’s potential departure to Tottenham could impact their lineup. Eze has been linked with a £68 million transfer deal, and his availability for the match is uncertain. Crystal Palace’s predicted lineup features Marc Guehi anchoring the defense, with Adam Wharton and Will Hughes or Jefferson Lerma in midfield ³.

Match Details

– Date: Sunday, August 17, 2025
– Kickoff Time: 2:00 p.m. local (BST) / 9:00 a.m. ET / 6:00 a.m. PT
– Location: Stamford Bridge, London
– Competition: Premier League

The upcoming match promises to be an exciting encounter between two London rivals, with both teams looking to make a strong statement in the Premier League ³.