Romeo Lavia injury is a ‘sad situation’, says Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino as he reveals the £58m man had been training well
- Romeo Lavia’s ankle injury is a ‘sad situation’ as the club awaits medical advice
- Mauricio Pochettino says the midfielder has trained well this week
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Mauricio Pochettino says Romeo Lavia’s injury is ‘a sad situation’ as he awaits confirmation on the length of his spell on the sidelines.
Midfielder Lavia has not played for Chelsea since his £58million arrival from Southampton and his debut has been further delayed after suffering an ankle injury in training last week.
Chelsea fear Lavia will be out for at least six weeks but will await the results of further checks next week.
Pochettino said: ‘We are very disappointed because he trained very well during the international break last week. He sprained his ankle and now we are waiting for the doctor’s assessment on Monday.
‘Hopefully it’s not a big problem, but he hasn’t trained with the team this past week.
Mauricio Pochettino said Romeo Lavia’s injury was a ‘sad situation’ after training well
Lavia joined Chelsea for £58 million in the summer but is yet to make an appearance and could be out for six weeks
‘It’s a sad situation because he was almost fit to be involved in the team again. Now we have to wait for the assessment and hope that it is not a big problem for him and the team, but he cannot help the team.’
Striker Armando Broja and defender Benoit Badiashile are back in full training after long-term knee and hamstring injuries, although Sunday’s trip to Bournemouth will be too early for them to return to the Chelsea squad.
Pochettino also provided an update on captain Reece James who suffered a hamstring injury after Chelsea’s opening game of the season against Liverpool.
“He’s recovering well,” Pochettino said. “I can’t say if he’s close or not because we’re assessing him every day. I think he’s starting to do things on the field with the ball. He is doing very well, he wants to come back and help the team. I hope he is close and can be available for the next international break.’
Chelsea had an injury-hit start to the season, leaving them twelfth in the Premier League with four points in four games.
Pochettino said: ‘It’s very short, the squad. We will face Bournemouth with 14/15 players. Now it is important to recover players so they can be more competitive.”
He added: ‘It is certain that we will play in European competition next season. We have to believe in the quality.’