Chelsea injury update: Romeo Lavia and Wesley Fofana latest news and return dates | OneFootball

Blues’ injury woes are not improving

Chelsea face a week off before their next game but the Blues’ injury woes are not expected to ease.

Enzo Maresca and Levi Colwill were able to shake off knocks to start against Manchester City on Saturday, but were unable to prevent the champions from running out 3-1 winners.

Chelsea are next in action against West Ham on the final day of the January transfer window, and the final week headling into Deadline Day could prove a busy one for the club.

Here’s the latest Chelsea injury news.

Romeo Lavia faces a number of weeks out as his injury-ravaged spell with the Blues continues.

The midfielder missed Chelsea’s 3-1 win over Wolves with a muscle injury picked up against Bournemouth. It was initially described as “muscle fatigue” by Enzo Maresca, but the Blues boss then revealed Lavia has been unable to train ahead of the trip to face Manchester City.

Lavia made just one Premier League appearance last season in his first campaign since swapping Southampton for Chelsea, due to serious hamstring and ankle injuries.

Asked whether there is a timeframe for Lavia’s return or details about the injury, Maresca told reporters: “We don’t know yet. We need to wait a little bit more. At least a few weeks more.

Potential return date: February/March 2025

Romeo Lavia missed the win over Wolves.

AFP via Getty Images

Wesley Fofana

Fofana has stepped up his rehabilitation as last week was able to participate in running drills on grass.

Chelsea are keen not to rush the centre-back back - with his time with the Blues so heavily disrupted by injuries - but it is a positive sign ahead of a possible return before the end of the campaign. It is understood that Fofana is making good progress and is on track for what a return before the end of the season.

Maresca said recently: “Wes is a huge loss. I don't think this kind of injury can be compared to the rest. This one is muscle and previously he hasn't had any muscle problems, so it's completely different. It's a bit unlucky, but he will be back and he will be good in the way he was before he was injured."

Potential return date: April/May 2025

Wesley Fofana has been sidelined for over a month now

Chelsea FC via Getty Images

Benoit Badiashile

Chelsea’s injuries in defence extend to the French centre-back who is not expected back for another few weeks due to a thigh problem.

“Benoit will be out at least until February,” confirmed Maresca.

Potential return date: February 2025

Carney Chukwuemeka

Carney Chukwuemeka remains sidelined with a virus, while his future at Chelsea remains in doubt during the January transfer window.

Potential return date: Unknown

Omari Kellyman

Summer signing Omari Kellyman has not featured for the club’s U21 side since suffering a thigh injury in September.

Potential return date: Unknown