Romeo Lavia’s eagerly awaited Chelsea debut may face further delays due to reports of an injury he sustained, with the talented teenager’s acquisition by the Blues from Southampton for a substantial £58 million occurring late in the summer transfer window, despite initial indications that he was destined for Liverpool.
Lavia’s anticipation surrounding his future was compounded by his absence from a full pre-season regimen with the Saints, necessitating several weeks of concentrated effort at Cobham to regain his match fitness.
Before the Stamford Bridge showdown with Luton, manager Mauricio Pochettino provided an update on Lavia’s potential involvement, regretfully stating, “Lavia, no,” as he emphasized that Lavia required several more weeks of preparation before he could join the team and was diligently working to bridge the gap with his teammates.
On a positive note, Chelsea recently confirmed that Lavia participated in his first full training session after engaging in individual training, though it may remain his only such session for an extended period.
Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri reported that Lavia sustained an injury during Chelsea’s training session on Friday, speculating that it could be a muscle tear near the ankle.
Fortunately, the September international break provided Lavia with a timely opportunity to continue building his fitness, potentially positioning him to vie for a spot in the matchday squad for the clash against Bournemouth on Sunday, September 17.
In addition to Lavia’s setback, Benoit Badiashile, another member of the squad, is also eyeing the fixture at Vitality Stadium as a potential return opportunity.
Badiashile, a French international, endured a hamstring injury during the latter stages of the 2022/23 season, causing him to miss several months and an entire pre-season under Pochettino.
Despite the setback, Chelsea’s recent acquisition of Moises Caicedo and retention of Conor Gallagher offer alternative options in midfield.
Nonetheless, Lavia’s frustration is palpable as he continues to wait for his debut at his new club, an eagerly anticipated moment that appears to be elusive.
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