Chelsea fans have been dealt a blow as Romeo Lavia is set to miss at least a month due to a new muscular injury.
The 21-year-old midfielder suffered a quad problem during last week’s 2-2 Champions League draw with Qarabag in Baku, Azerbaijan, forcing Moises Caicedo to come on after just eight minutes.
The timing couldn’t be worse, with Chelsea entering a congested winter schedule, though the club remains hopeful that Lavia can recover in time to make an impact over the coming weeks.
Key Matches on the Horizon
Lavia’s absence means he is likely to miss crucial fixtures, including home clashes against Barcelona in the Champions League and Premier League rivals Arsenal later this month.
These matches will be closely watched, as Chelsea rely on their midfield to control games against top European and domestic opponents.
A Career Already Hindered by Injuries
Unfortunately, Lavia’s time at Stamford Bridge has been marred by fitness issues.
Since signing from Southampton in August 2023 for £58million, the Belgian international has made just 30 appearances for the club.
That’s out of Chelsea’s 130 games played during his tenure so far.
Despite showing flashes of his talent, consistent injuries have prevented him from becoming a mainstay in the squad.
Extra Burden on Moises Caicedo
Lavia’s injury adds further strain on Moises Caicedo, who has already carried a heavy load this season.
The Ecuadorian midfielder has logged 945 of Chelsea’s 990 Premier League minutes, making him the team’s workhorse in the middle of the park.
Boss Enzo Maresca has noted that Caicedo needs protection, but with Lavia sidelined and summer signing Dario Essugo also unavailable, the 24-year-old has little respite.
While his reliability is unquestioned, Chelsea’s midfield depth is being severely tested.
Looking Ahead for the Blues
Chelsea will now have to navigate the upcoming fixtures without one of their prized young talents.
How quickly Lavia recovers could be crucial in determining the team’s ability to compete on multiple fronts this season.
In the meantime, Caicedo and the rest of Maresca’s squad will need to shoulder the responsibility, keeping the Blues competitive in both the Premier League and Champions League.