Chelsea have been dealt a significant injury blow with the news that midfielder Romeo Lavia is facing a spell of at least one month on the sidelines.
Another Setback for Young Midfielder
The 21-year-old Belgian international sustained a muscular quad problem during Chelsea's recent 2-2 Champions League draw with Qarabag in Baku, Azerbaijan. The injury struck early, forcing Lavia off the pitch after just eight minutes, with Moises Caicedo taking his place.
This latest issue is a continuation of a frustrating start to Lavia's career at Stamford Bridge. Since his £58 million move from Southampton in August 2023, his time has been plagued by fitness problems. The match against Qarabag was only his 30th appearance for the club, a stark contrast to the 130 matches Chelsea have played overall in that same period.
Key Fixtures Missed and Recovery Hopes
Lavia's absence means he will definitely miss several crucial upcoming matches. This includes two major home clashes at the end of the month: a Champions League tie against Barcelona and a Premier League showdown with rivals Arsenal.
Chelsea's medical team will continue to assess the player over the coming weeks. The club remains hopeful that he could return in time to contribute during the congested winter schedule, but his recovery timeline remains uncertain and could extend beyond the initial one-month minimum.
Increased Pressure on Moises Caicedo
Lavia's injury, combined with the ongoing absence of summer signing Dario Essugo, significantly increases the reliance on fellow midfielder Moises Caicedo. Manager Enzo Maresca has already name-checked the Ecuadorian as a player in need of protection due to his heavy workload.
This season, Caicedo has played 945 minutes out of a possible 990 in the Premier League for Chelsea, more than any other player in the squad. While his reliability has been a major asset, Maresca admits the 24-year-old has been used more than desired out of sheer necessity, a situation now exacerbated by Lavia's latest setback.
