Romeo Lavia is set for at least a month on the sidelines with the Chelsea midfielder suffering another injury in the Blues' Champions League draw in Azerbaijan last week
06:00, 11 Nov 2025
Romeo Lavia in action
View Image
Romeo Lavia is set to be absent for at least a month for Chelsea(Image: Justin Tallis/AFP)
Romeo Lavia is expected to miss at least six matches for Chelsea after the midfielder limped off inside 10 minutes of the 2-2 draw with Qarabag last week.
football.londonunderstands the 21-year-old is due to be absent for a minimum of a month after he hurt his quad in Azerbaijan last Wednesday. Lavia is now not due back until mid-December with his injury hell at Stamford Bridge continuing.
Lavia has missed a total of 78 matches since signing from Southampton in the summer of 2023 - and that number is now set to increase by at least six with another muscular issue. Just over one month from now is Chelsea's Premier League clash with Everton at Stamford Bridge on December 13 - a potential, albeit it seems too early to definitely say just yet, return date for the Belgian midfielder.
If that is the case, then Lavia will miss a trip to Burnley, back-to-back home matches versus Barcelona and Arsenal, three away games against Leeds United, Bournemouth and Atalanta. If his time out was to extend beyond that, Chelsea's December also includes Cardiff City (away), Newcastle United (away), Aston Villa (home) and Bournemouth (home).
Chelsea will be hoping he is back for at least part of that extremely busy period with Enzo Maresca short when it comes to natural midfield options. Dario Essugo is not expected to return until December/start of 2026 as he continues his recovery from thigh surgery, with Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and Andrey Santos being the head coach's only orthodox options in the middle of the pitch.
Maresca, though, does have other options; albeit much more unorthodox. "We have Caicedo, we have Enzo Fernandez, we have Pedro Neto, we have Joao Pedro, that they are all players that they are not training every day," the Chelsea head coach explained last week. "But in this moment, you see Moi, the other day, after five minutes, he was on the pitch.
"In the past, we used Andrey Santos as a No.6. In the past, we also used Josh [Acheampong] as a No.6. And Reece [James] has been playing as a No.6. But for sure, when you have more options, it is better."
Article continues below
Maresca does have some options to cover Lavia's absence, fortunately for Chelsea. One thing for sure is that the Blues will not rush Lavia back. As they have been with the Belgian since he arrived over two years ago, they will be careful and cautious when re-introducing him to the side as they continue their hunt to solve his ongoing nightmare.
Chelsea knock up to 60% off kits and merch
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Content Image
Various
Fanatics
Shop the sale
Fanatics has slashed the price of Chelsea kits and merch with up to 60% off select items.