Liam Rosenior has confirmed midfielder Romeo Lavia is back on the pitch doing rehab, but there’s no time frame for his return.
Lavia has been plagued by injury since joining the Blues from Southampton in the summer of 2023 in a deal worth up to 58m.
The Belgian has made 30 appearances in two and half years at Stamford Bridge, and is yet to complete a 90 minutes.
Liam Rosenior provides Romeo Lavia update
Lavia has made seven appearances in all competitions this season, but hasn’t featured since the 2-2 draw with Qarabag in the Champions League in November.
It was reported Lavia was expected to be out for at least a month, but updates since then have been few and far between.
However, ahead of Chelsea’s game against Brentford on Saturday, Rosenior was asked about the 22-year-old and provided an update.
“Romeo’s on the pitch. He’s not with the group, but seeing him out on the pitch doing his rehab, he’s looking really, really good,” he told his pre-match press conference.
“I think we all know, I know, I love him firstly as a lad, as a player. He’s someone I would love to work with in the long term because he’s just an outstanding footballer.
“The most important thing for him now is to make sure we don’t push him too hard so that when he does come back, he’s back for good and I can get some real work into him tactically.
“But for me, he’s a player that I can’t wait to have back in the group at the same time, and I’m really, really looking forward to having him back with us.”
Rosenior was then pressed for a time frame and added:
“No time frame. No time frame, that has to be. But it’s right in terms of him coming back and being back for good.”
Chelsea looking for a midfielder next summer
Whilst Lavia continues his recovery from injury it’s been reported Chelsea’s main priority in the summer is a midfielder.
The Blues are believed to be looking to ease the burden on Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, and unfortunately Lavia’s injury issues have been a problem.
Chelsea have been linked with Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton and Kobbie Mainoo and it will be interesting to see who they end up signing.
