Chelsea midfielder Romeo Lavia will MISS the rest of the campaign after an injury setback… with the £58m signing playing just 32 minutes in a nightmare debut season

Romeo Lavia’s brutal first season with Chelsea will end with him appearing for only 32 minutes after the £58million summer signing suffered a setback in his recovery from a thigh injury.

It is a cruel blow to the 20-year-old, whose one and only appearance this campaign will remain as a second-half substitute against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in the Premier League in December.

That saw Lavia make his debut after overcoming an ankle issue, but he then sustained a significant thigh injury. 

Now, confirmation has came that he will miss the rest of the season after another setback.

Chelsea’s statement read: ‘Midfielder Romeo Lavia is to unfortunately miss the remainder of our 2023-24 campaign following a setback in his recovery.

‘Recent medical assessments have confirmed that Lavia, who sustained a significant thigh injury against Crystal Palace back in December, will not feature again this season.’

Lavia returned from an ankle injury against Crystal Palace on December 27, only to pick up a thigh issue during the game, meaning he has played just 32 minutes in his debut season

Lavia (seen speaking to Mauricio Pochettino in August) has epitomised Chelsea’s injury crisis

Lavia chose Chelsea over Liverpool when he left Southampton in the summer – signing a seven-year contract – but the Belgian defensive midfielder has epitomised their injury crisis as much as anyone.

By being ruled out for the rest of the season, it means that Lavia has cost Chelsea an estimated £1.8m per minute played this term.  

Mauricio Pochettino’s team have spent much of this season in crisis mode amid an absurd number of injuries, with captain Reece James another who does not have a return date on his recovery. 

England’s James is at least hopeful of playing before the end of this season ahead of Euro 2024.

More to follow…