Roméo Lavia is edging closer to a long-awaited return to full fitness after spending more than three months on the sidelines with injury, MySportDab Reports.
The midfielder has not featured since Chelsea’s 2–2 Champions League draw against Qarabağ FK in early November.
Since completing his £58 million move from Southampton FC in the summer of 2023, Lavia has endured a frustrating spell of fitness setbacks, missing 98 matches and spending a total of 608 days out injured.
Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior confirmed in January that the Belgium international had returned to training but warned supporters that the club would take a cautious approach.
“If they don’t make that day, it looks bad on them when I know how hard Roméo is working,” Rosenior said, refusing to set a specific comeback date.
Recent reports suggest Lavia is nearing the end of a detailed rehabilitation programme as part of Chelsea’s careful plan to prevent further setbacks. The 21-year-old continued working at the club’s training base earlier this week, even while teammates were given time off.
His return would provide a timely boost for the Blues. With Dário Essugo also unavailable, Chelsea’s central midfield options behind preferred starters Enzo Fernández and Moisés Caicedo have been stretched thin.
At times, Fernández has been pushed forward to compensate for the absence of Cole Palmer, forcing defensive reinforcements into midfield roles.
With Chelsea still competing in the Premier League, UEFA Champions League and FA Cup, Lavia’s availability could prove crucial during a demanding run of fixtures heading into March’s international break.