Chelsea pair Romeo Lavia and Benoit Badiashile have returned to training following months on the sidelines.
Neither have played since the Club World Cup round of 16 tie against Benfica, with both reportedly picking up serious muscular injuries during the game. Fans on X are happy to see them back available:
The boys are back 💙💙
— CFC NAZOR (@Officialnazor_) September 8, 2025
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Good to see
— Xammie 💎 (@XammieCrypt) September 8, 2025
I'm really happy they are both back. I pray they don't get injured anytime soon.
— Pharm. Billy-young (@GaliBillyyoung) September 8, 2025
It's good to have them back. Back from Injury boost to the team! I hope they stay fit for the remainder of the season and not be sidelined again after a few games, especially #RomeoLavia!
— Kenneth Odei🇬🇭🇬🇧 (@KennethOdei2) September 8, 2025
Scary hours not to us though.
— LÊÖ ⭐️⭐️ (@Lennox54_) September 9, 2025
Wow this is good news
— ALL ABOUT CHELSEA💙 (@jerrytaiwo) September 8, 2025
Maresca has issued a warning about their fitness
Speaking last month, head coach Enzo Maresca made it clear that Lavia and Badiashile would not be available for selection until later in September:
“Romeo and Benoit, I don’t think they will be back after the international break, but they will be closer.”
That suggests the Brentford fixture may come too early for them but they could feature in upcoming Premier League matches against Manchester United or Brighton. The Carabao Cup tie versus Lincoln City would also be a good opportunity for them to improve their fitness after such a lengthy absence.
Chelsea need more depth
Badiashile’s return is particularly timely, with Levi Colwill set to miss the rest of the season with an ACL injury. The Frenchman is left-footed, so he would be a like-for-like replacement in the centre of defence.
Lavia, meanwhile, will add depth in midfield, which is needed after the club confirmed that Dario Essugo requires surgery. Maresca can also call upon the likes of Andrey Santos, Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo.
Read more about the Chelsea First Team Squad for 2025/26 here