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Enzo Maresca set to unleash ‘amazing’ Chelsea player vs Everton after Cobham update

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Chelsea host Everton on Saturday afternoon in a crucial game, and head coach Enzo Maresca has received a fitness boost ahead of the Premier League fixture.

Chelsea are one of the clubs involved in a fascinating race to see who qualifies for next season’s Champions League.

The Blues currently sit in sixth spot in the Premier League table with five matches remaining, but only the top five teams will secure Champions League qualification.

Position Team Played MP Won W Drawn D Lost L For GF Against GA Diff GD Points Pts
1 LiverpoolLiverpool33 24 7 2 75 31 44 79
2 ArsenalArsenal34 18 13 3 63 29 34 67
3 Man CityManchester City34 18 7 9 66 43 23 61
4 Nottm ForestNottingham Forest33 18 6 9 53 39 14 60
5 NewcastleNewcastle33 18 5 10 62 44 18 59
6 ChelseaChelsea33 16 9 8 58 40 18 57
7 Aston VillaAston Villa34 16 9 9 54 49 5 57

On paper, Chelsea have an extremely tough set of fixtures to finish the league season. It’s what makes this weekend’s home clash against 13th-placed Everton even more significant.

Incidentally, Enzo Maresca has a touchline ban against Everton after picking up his third booking of the campaign in the recent 2-1 win over Fulham.

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      LiverpoolLiverpool

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      Man UtdManchester United

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Chelsea FC Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Conference League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images

Romeo Lavia is expected to play against Everton

Chelsea midfielder Romeo Lavia, 21, hasn’t played since mid-March because of a thigh injury. However, he’s tipped to make a return to play in Saturday afternoon’s clash at home to Everton.

According to The Daily Mail, Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca is expected to give Lavia his first minutes since 16 March in the Everton fixture, most likely as a substitute.

It is explained that the Blues have been treating the Belgian midfielder with caution because of his frequent injury interruptions.

The report claims that Lavia trained fully at Cobham without any issues in what’s a big update.

Even though Lavia hasn’t been able to build any momentum in his first two seasons at Chelsea because of various injury problems, it’s pretty evident he’s an outstanding talent when he’s on the football pitch. Therefore, fans will hope he can get them over the line to qualify for the Champions League in the next month.

Back in January, Chelsea captain Reece James called Romeo Lavia “amazing” because he’s so good when he does play.

The deep-lying defensive midfielder is so influential both in and out of possession. If he’s fully fit, we’d argue he starts in Chelsea’s best XI.

Fulham FC v Chelsea FC - Premier League
Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Romeo Lavia’s injury nightmare at Chelsea

It’s not worked out yet for Lavia since he joined Chelsea from Southampton, solely due to the fact he can’t keep himself fit for long enough.

SeasonInjuryFromToDays missedGames missed
24/25Thigh17 March 202518 April 2025335
24/25Hamstring16 January 20257 March 2025518
24/25Hamstring9 December 20247 January 2025307
24/25Hamstring23 August 202415 September 2024244
23/24Hamstring28 December 202330 June 202416828
23/24Fitness13 November 202318 December 2023365
23/24Ankle17 September 202312 November 20235710
23/24Muscle tear8 September 202314 September 20237
Romeo Lavia’s injury record at Chelsea via Transfermarkt

Fans are extremely frustrated that Lavia’s only played 14 first-team matches for them across nearly two seasons. As for the player, he must be even more distraught.

Paul Merson claims Chelsea really miss Romeo Lavia when he’s not on the football pitch because of the control he brings.

The encouraging news is that he’s back to help the Blues for the business end of this season, but the fear of him picking up another injury must be in the back of everyone’s mind.