£58m Chelsea player is back from injury and in training ahead of Crystal Palace clash
Romeo Lavia has been missing for Chelsea in the last few weeks with a thigh injury, but there’s been some positive news ahead of the team’s upcoming fixture.
Chelsea travel to London rivals Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon in the Premier League, where they’ll be desperate to win after suffering back-to-back defeats against Ipswich Town and Fulham.
Romeo Lavia, 20, has been a big miss for the Blues in the last few games. Unfortunately, the Belgium international is struggling to keep himself fit for any extended periods, which is becoming more and more of a concern.
There’s no doubt that the deep-lying defensive midfielder is a class act when he’s on the football pitch. He’s only made 11 appearances since his arrival at Chelsea in August 2023 in a £58m deal (Sky Sports), though.
Lavia is one of the Premier League’s most valuable Under-21 players, but the club needs to find a solution to the injury interruptions.
Chelsea receive Romeo Lavia boost
The good news for Chelsea supporters is that Lavia has returned to the training pitches this week ahead of the Palace fixture. He posted an image via X of himself at Cobham in his training gear.
On top of that, Lavia can be spotted in the training images on Chelsea’s official website.
We’ll wait to hear from Maresca in his pre-match press conference if Lavia is available for selection this weekend, but it’s definitely a boost to see him back on the grass.
The midfield star missed December’s league games against Ipswich, Fulham, Everton and Brentford. It’s interesting to note the Blues only won one of those matches without him.
Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo are both playing well in the centre of the park as Chelsea’s midfield combination, but Lavia’s introduction can bring a bit more defensive stability and control.
Troy Deeney claims people underestimate Chelsea star Lavia and don’t realise how good he actually is. If the youngster can keep himself fit, he’s got the ability to be one of the Premier League’s elite midfielders.
Moises Caicedo at right-back
Maresca did find a clever way of fitting Caicedo, Fernandez and Lavia into the same XI before the latter’s latest injury setback.
If the trio are fit again in the near future, Caicedo should be under consideration to drop into the right-back position, which is an inverted role that allows him to drift centrally in possession. That would leave Lavia to operate and dictate as a No.6, while Fernandez can play a box-to-box role to help join in with attacks.
From what we’ve seen so far this season, Caicedo is the first name on the Chelsea team sheet alongside Cole Palmer. The puzzle for Maresca is fitting all his best stars into the same line-up when they’re all available.
from Latest Chelsea News and Updates - The Chelsea Chronicle https://ift.tt/qSl5wau
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