The mystery surrounding Romeo Lavia’s fitness at Chelsea continues, with the midfielder now having spent ten weeks sidelined following his latest injury setback.
With Chelsea already light in central midfield, Lavia’s continued absence is becoming an increasingly serious concern for Liam Rosenior as he begins his tenure at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea Short on Midfield Options
At present, Rosenior has limited resources to work with in the centre of the pitch. The available midfield options include:
- Moises Caicedo
- Enzo Fernández
- Andrey Santos
- Dário Essugo
On paper, that looks manageable — but the reality is far more fragile. Any injury to one of Chelsea’s three senior midfielders could leave the squad dangerously exposed, especially during a congested second half of the season.
While the January transfer window offers an opportunity to reinforce the midfield, there has been little indication that Chelsea are actively pursuing additions, instead seemingly waiting for the “right” opportunity to arise.
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Romeo Lavia: Talent Without Availability
In theory, Romeo Lavia should be part of the solution. In practice, he has become Chelsea’s biggest midfield enigma.
The numbers paint a bleak picture:
- 589 days spent injured since joining Chelsea
- Available for less than 25% of Chelsea’s fixtures since the BlueCo takeover
Those statistics alone explain the growing frustration among supporters.
Spotted, But Still No Answers
There has been a minor update — though not the kind fans were hoping for.
According to the Daily Mail, Lavia has been seen leaving Stamford Bridge through the press area after certain matches, accompanied by a member of the club’s security team. However, this has only fuelled further speculation rather than provided clarity.
The 22-year-old remains sidelined with a thigh/quad injury, sustained in early November. Yet the issue is no longer just this specific injury — it’s the pattern.
Over the past two-and-a-half years, Lavia’s career has been repeatedly interrupted by setbacks, raising serious questions about long-term reliability.
A Decision Chelsea Can’t Avoid Forever
There is no doubt about Lavia’s quality. When fit, he has shown he can be a genuine starter at Premier League level. But availability matters just as much as ability — and at some point, Chelsea must confront a difficult reality.
With midfield depth already thin, it is simply unrealistic to pin hopes on a player whose fitness record suggests prolonged absences are more likely than sustained runs of form.
Chelsea’s project is built on potential, but potential without durability is a gamble — and one that is becoming increasingly risky.
As Rosenior looks to stabilise the squad and push the club forward, the question is unavoidable:
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