Enzo Maresca provides injury update as Chelsea receive boost ahead of Brighton
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has few injury worries ahead of their clash against Brighton at Stamford Bridge and the Blues boss provided an update on Romeo Lavia ahead of the game
by Scott Trotter · The MirrorChelsea welcome back Romeo Lavia to the fold ahead of their match against Brighton this weekend.
The Blues are looking for a fourth win in a row when they face the Seagulls but also their first Premier League home win of the season. Lavia's presence will provide a boost to Enzo Maresca ahead of him picking his side for the fixture.
The former Southampton midfielder has made just two appearances this term and last featured as Chelsea looked to qualify for the Europa Conference League against Servette. Lavia was ruled out with what is described as suffering a 'hamstring irritation'.
The 20-year-old is now available for selection against Brighton, though Maresca has yet to decide how involved his charge will be.
"Romeo is available for tomorrow, the only one [out] is Reece. We'll see, we have one more session now to decide but finally he is back."
Reece James remains out of contention for the Blues. The club's captain suffered a hamstring injury last month to continue his struggles having undergone surgery in December 2023.
James has yet to play this season after starting 2024/25 with a ban after getting sent off against Brighton in May. The full back had featured in pre-season.
Nevertheless, Maresca is pleased with the competition for places within his squad. The Italian coach made 11 changes for the Blues' midweek win over Barrow and was impressed with a number of performances.
While Christopher Nkunku's hat-trick stole the headlines, Maresca was happy with the displays throughout his starting XI. It leaves him with a difficult task in making his selection against Brighton.
"It's a good thing for me to have some doubt," he said. "That means they are doing well. This is important and something we need to continue to do. We create the right culture in terms of the team competing and this is important.
"Pedro [Neto] did well the other day, Misha [Mudryk] did well the other day, all of them," he added. "Benoit [Badiashile] did well, Axel [Disasi] did well, Renato [Veiga] and Cesare [Casadei], for me, played a fantastic game the other day.
"It's important that when there is a chance, even if it's five or 10 minutes, they give everything. It's important."
Ben Chilwell may still have his work cut out to break back into Maresca's plans however. Though he has not ruled it out.
"In the moment we need him, for sure, why not?" he said. "I will say again in the moment he is with us, he is one of the Chelsea players and one of our players. If we need we will give him chances and minutes."
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