Home / Sports / Chelsea's Injury Crisis Deepens as Lavia Nears Return
Chelsea's Injury Crisis Deepens as Lavia Nears Return
19 Feb
Summary
- Roméo Lavia nears full fitness after over three months out injured.
- Lavia has missed 98 games totaling 608 days since his summer 2023 transfer.
- Chelsea's midfield options are limited due to multiple player absences.
Chelsea midfielder Roméo Lavia is nearing the end of his extensive rehabilitation program, having been sidelined for over three months since early November. The Belgian international has missed a significant 98 games, totaling 608 days, since his £58 million transfer from Southampton in the summer of 2023. Although he has returned to training, manager Liam Rosenior emphasizes the need for patience before Lavia can play again.
The persistent injuries have significantly strained Chelsea's squad, particularly in central midfield. With both Lavia and Dário Essugo unavailable, the team's natural cover behind Enzo Fernández and Moisés Caicedo has been limited to Andrey Santos. In some instances, full-backs Reece James and Malo Gusto have been deployed as emergency midfielders.
Despite these challenges, Chelsea remains competitive in three competitions as they head towards March. A maximum of 23 games are still possible across the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup. The team faces a demanding schedule, with eight matches planned before the end of March, including an FA Cup tie against Wrexham and a Champions League last-16 fixture.
