Enzo Maresca could have Romeo Lavia back for Chelsea’s match against former club Leicester in the Premier League
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Chelsea Football Newsletter
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Romeo Lavia could make his Chelsea return when Leicester come to Stamford Bridge this weekend - but will not be fit to start.
Lavia, whose Blues career has so far been plagued by injury, has been struggling with a hamstring problem since mid-December and his absence has coincided with Chelsea’s mid-season dip in form.
After missing five league matches, he briefly returned to play against Bournemouth and then Morecambe in the third round of the FA Cup in January, but has not been seen since. However, manager Enzo Maresca confirmed that the Belgian has returned to training this week.
“Romeo could be fit, but not playing from the start,” the Italian said.
Wesley Fofana is also waiting to make his return from a hamstring injury of his own and could do so against his former club.
Fofana has not played since limping off in the home win over Aston Villa in early December and there were initially fears that he could miss the rest of the season, but the Frenchman returned to the matchday squad as an unused substitute against Southampton last week.
Having been left out of Chelsea’s European squad, Fofana was ineligible to face FC Copenhagen in the Conference League on Thursday, but Benoit Badiashile made his return from injury in that game to add to Maresca’s options at centre-back.
The Blues boss has confirmed that Moises Caicedo will play despite being one yellow card away from a suspension, while Pedro Neto is expected to start at centre-forward having been rested on Thursday.
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Malo Gusto is a doubt after being forced off early in Denmark, though Maresca’s post-match assessment of the full-back was upbeat. Chelsea have been wary about Reece James playing back-to-back matches, which could open the door to Josh Acheampong at right-back if Gusto is not fit.
Predicted Chelsea XI (4-2-3-1): Jorgensen; Acheampong, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Sancho, Palmer, Nkunku; Neto
Injured: Madueke, Jackson, Guiu
Doubts: Lavia, Gusto
Unavailable: Mudryk
Time and date: 2pm GMT on Sunday March 9, 2025
Venue: Stamford Bridge, London