Chelsea have hidden £58m player’s injury, it’s much worse than they feared

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Chelsea have not revealed everything about Romeo Lavia’s latest injury problem.

Romeo Lavia has struggled to stay fit since joining Chelsea from Southampton in a £58m deal (BBC Sport) last summer.

A report from DH has now claimed that the midfielder is currently suffering from a muscle tear in his thigh but it has been “voluntarily hidden” by the Blues because clubs like to be discreet when it comes to repetitive muscular injuries.

According to the same outlet, the injury is also more serious than Chelsea initially thought.

Lavia has made just one appearance for his new club this season, a cameo against Crystal Palace at the end of December.

Conor Gallagher’s form has soften Romeo Lavia injury blow

Right now, Lavia would probably struggle to get into Chelsea’s team if he were fit.

Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez are always going to start because of how much they cost. That leaves Conor Gallagher as the man Lavia needs to displace, but the Englishman has been excellent this term.

For example, he made four tackles in Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Manchester City over the weekend. Only Malo Gusto recorded more with eight (WhoScored).

His form is probably why not much has been said about a £58m signing being nowhere to be seen halfway through a season.

It does not mean Mauricio Pochettino has no use for Lavia, who is a different profile of midfielder to Gallagher, a player who may not even be at the club next season.

The 24-year-old’s contract expires next summer and he continues to be linked with a move to London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

Lavia could eventually become a big player for Chelsea, then. But as far as this campaign goes, it is going to have to be a bit of a write off, which is a shame given that it is his first at Stamford Bridge.