Romeo Lavia injury: Progress & potential return date for Chelsea midfielder
- Romeo Lavia has had rotten luck with injuries this season
- The midfielder has made just one outing for Chelsea
- 20-year-old signed from Southampton for £58m last summer
Chelsea supporters have barely seen their shiny summer signing Romeo Lavia in the flesh.
The former Southampton man was another expensive addition to Chelsea's midfield, teaming up with the £222m duo of Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez, but significant injuries have kept him sidelined for the majority of his debut season at Stamford Bridge.
While he has managed to don Chelsea blue this season, he quickly found himself back on the treatment table after briefly returning from a long-term issue at the beginning of the campaign.
Here is the latest on Lavia's injury concerns.
What injury does Romeo Lavia have?
The 20-year-old spent several months on the sidelines at the start of the campaign after suffering an ankle injury in Chelsea training. He then needed time to find his fitness before making his debut for his new club two days after Christmas.
However, he hasn't been seen since for the Blues following a thigh injury sustained shortly after his first Chelsea appearance, leading to frustration for the Belgium international and the club's supporters.
When will Romeo Lavia return from injury?
Mauricio Pochettino recently confirmed that Lavia is still suffering with a thigh injury and the midfielder is yet to return to team training, with his recovery timeframe still unknown.
Asked whether he would play in Chelsea's recent Carabao Cup final clash, the Argentine stated: "No. He is not training with the team. He is still recovering. Impossible. He is still not on the pitch."
Lavia will seemingly be absent for the foreseeable future, with Chelsea also missing the likes of Lesley Ugochukwu and Carney Chukwuemeka in central midfield.
What games has Romeo Lavia missed due to injury?
Lavia has played just 32 minutes for the Blues in all competitions this season and has been named in the matchday squad on just two occasions. He was an unused substitute during his side's 2-1 defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Christmas Eve, while featuring off the bench against Crystal Palace three days later.
The youngster has missed all of Chelsea's other 33 games this term, including their recent Carabao Cup final defeat to Liverpool at Wembley - the Reds having attempted to sign Lavia during last summer's transfer window.
He has also been absent for two clashes with former club Manchester City, as well as London derbies with Tottenham and Arsenal.
How have Chelsea done with Romeo Lavia and who has replaced him?
Chelsea have endured a torrid campaign despite some significant spending last summer, with the Blues currently sat in the bottom half of the Premier League table. The west London outfit have been terribly inconsistent, with their only hope for redemption coming in this season's FA Cup.
Lavia was never assured of a starting berth in the Chelsea side upon his arrival, but considering how much Pochettino's side have struggled this season, the starlet may have enjoyed a lengthy run in the team had he been fit.
Caicedo and Fernandez have taken his place at the base of the midfield, while Conor Gallagher has been an ever-present for Chelsea slightly further forward. Lesley Ugochukwu has also filled in as a number six at times, but he is sidelined at present too.
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