Chelsea Football Club has been dealt a significant blow with the news that midfielder Romeo Lavia is expected to be sidelined for at least the next month.
Another Setback for Young Midfielder
The 21-year-old Belgian international sustained a quad injury during Chelsea's recent match against Qarabag in Azerbaijan. The problem forced him to leave the pitch inside the opening ten minutes of the game, which ultimately ended in a draw.
This marks a frustrating continuation of Lavia's injury struggles since his high-profile move from Southampton in August 2023. He has now missed a staggering 78 games due to various fitness issues, casting a shadow over his time at Stamford Bridge.
Recovery Timeline and Missed Fixtures
If his rehabilitation progresses without any further complications, the earliest potential return date for Lavia is pencilled in for the home fixture against Everton on December 13.
This means the talented midfielder is set to miss a crucial run of six matches for the Blues. The games he is expected to be absent for include:
- Burnley (Premier League)
- Barcelona (European competition)
- Arsenal (Premier League)
- Leeds United (League Cup)
- Bournemouth (Premier League)
- Atalanta (European competition)
Manager's Frustration and Squad Update
The injury comes as a particular disappointment to head coach Enzo Maresca, who had been meticulously managing Lavia's minutes in an attempt to preserve his fitness. Speaking after the incident, the Italian manager did not hide his feelings.
"It's a shame," Maresca stated. "It's a shame in this moment also because we are trying to minimise minutes for him. But even with that, he's injured again. We need to insist until we find the right solution for him."
In further team news, fellow Chelsea players Enzo Fernandez and Pedro Neto will use the ongoing international break to recover from their own respective injuries, having withdrawn from the Argentina and Portugal squads.
