Chelsea fans got their first sighting of Romeo Lavia playing for the club since the start of November when he started for the U21s in their Premier League 2 fixture against Leeds United.
The Blues have set a strict timeline on Lavia’s return in an attempt to put an end to his nightmare run of injuries since joining the club.
The Belgian started alongside a number of Chelsea’s most promising youngsters against Leeds, as they looked to return to the top of the PL2 table with a win.
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Shumaira Mheuka captained the side, while Ryan Kavuma-McQueen, Reggie Walsh and Landon Emenalo all started too.
Romeo Lavia impresses on return with Chelsea U21s
With Chelsea fans desperate to see how Lavia would look back in action, they will be pleased to know he put in a confident, assured performance in the middle of the park.
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While he rarely got involved in any of the attacking play, he showed confidence whenever in possession, not ever giving away the ball.
It was clear how much trust there was from the young players in Lavia. Frequently he was given the ball under pressure, and he dealt with it well every time.
Questions have been asked of where Lavia is likely to play under Liam Rosenior, with him using his central midfielders differently to how Enzo Maresca did.
Frequently, the former Southampton man would drop back to make a back three for the U21s, a position that closely resembles how Andrey Santos has been playing for the first team.
There was a moment of panic when a terrible tackle from Leeds midfielder Ollie Pickles left him in a heap, although he was able to continue before his half-time substitution with Chelsea 1-0 up.
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When will Romeo Lavia return for the first team?
It will be the best part of four months missed before the midfielder is back in first team action, and a new manager to impress in Rosenior.
According to reports, Chelsea plan for Lavia to be in the squad to face Arsenal next weekend, in what will be a massive test for the Blues away from home.
A number of the Blues midfielders have looked as if they’ve needed a break in recent weeks, none more so than Moises Caicedo.
With Dario Essugo on the long-term absentee list, the return of Lavia can’t come soon enough, and it is great to see him enjoy a comfortable start to life back in action.
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