Three centre-backs Chelsea must now consider signing after Levi Colwill blow, including £40m bargain

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Chelsea have been handed a major setback ahead of the start of the new season, with Levi Colwill picking up an injury in training.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of Chelsea‘s two friendlies against Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan, Enzo Maresca confirmed that Colwill had sustained an injury in a blow to the Blues.

It is thought that the Club World Cup winners could now sign a new central defender if the 22-year-old is ruled out of action for an extended period of time.

The Chelsea Chronicle has taken a look at three centre-backs the club should now be considering.

• READ MORE: Levi Colwill gives warning to Chelsea teammates ahead of 2025/26 Premier League season

Marc Guehi

If Chelsea do find themselves in a position where they have to sign a new centre-half, then their former academy player Marc Guehi is a good place to start.

Crystal Palace are only demanding £40m for Guehi, whose contract expires next summer. The 25-year-old is proven at Premier League level and has developed into a real leader at Selhurst Park.

He was Palace’s captain last season and has now assumed the role permanently following Joel Ward’s departure. For £40m, it is a no-brainer.

Murillo

Nottingham Forest star Murillo is another Premier League option worth considering, though he is not going to be as cheap as Guehi.

Unlike the England international, Murillo has a contract until 2029. It has been claimed that Chelsea offered Forest a club-record fee for the Brazilian in January, but it was something that was rejected.

Being left-footed, he could be the perfect replacement for Colwill in Maresca‘s backline.

Piero Hincapie

In terms of other left-footed options, Bayer Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapie is also another name that is out there.

Hincapie is believed to have a £51m release clause in his contract, which would make him much easier to sign than Murillo.

Of course, the Ecuadorian does not have Murillo’s Premier League experience, but he looks like a good fit for Maresca’s style of football.

Over the last year, Hincapie has averaged 1.65 progressive carries and 4.81 progressive passes per 90, as per FBref. Among other central defenders, it puts him in the 95th and 84th percentiles.

Simply put, Hincapie is a ball-playing centre-back whom Maresca would probably love to have.

Chelsea’s priority in the transfer window has been strengthening their attack, but they could quickly switch their focus to defence, depending on the extent of Colwill’s injury.