Breaking News: Maresca confirms £58m man is fit and available for Leicester clash in huge boost for Chelsea

Enzo Maresca’s confirmation that midfielder Romeo Lavia is healthy and available has given Chelsea a significant boost ahead of their match against Leicester City on Saturday.

Lavia only played 32 minutes of football under Mauricio Pochettino last season and has struggled with injuries since joining from Southampton in the summer of 2023 in a deal for up to £58 million.

The 20-year-old, who is an important member of the team under Maresca, was among Chelsea’s best players in the preseason and has fortunately been able to play more frequently this season.

Lavia is fit for the journey to Leicester, according to Maresca.
After suffering a hamstring injury as a late substitution in the Conference League play-off match against Servette, Lavia missed the following four league games after starting the season’s opening match against Manchester City.

For the journey to Liverpool, Maresca took the risk of playing Lavia instead of World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez, and despite the Blues’ defeat, the Belgian turned in a strong performance.

Despite a near-injury scare prior to his exit in the tie with Arsenal earlier this month, Lavia has since started every league game and kept Fernandez on the bench.

Despite missing both of Belgium’s Nations League games due to a hamstring injury, the midfielder was called up to the Belgium team for the first time in eighteen months for the last international break.

Lavia was spotted working out at Cobham this week, though, and Maresca has verified the Belgium international is healthy and ready for the trip to Leicester, which is encouraging for the Blues.

“We want to take care of him, players like Romeo and Wesley Fofana, and those who were injured last year, which is why he is not available for the Conference League squad.”