Romeo Lavia may see Chelsea debut delayed until December as £58m midfielder struggles to shake off ankle injury

The highly-rated midfielder was acquired by the Blues from Southampton in the summer transfer window in a £58 million ($71m) deal. Chelsea have high hopes for the 19-year-old Belgian, but they are yet to see him in action.

Lavia is currently nursing an ankle injury picked up in training, with the talented teenager suffering ligament damage. No risks are being taken on his fitness, in a bid to avoid any further setbacks, and the Daily Mail claims that could force his debut back into December.

There remains a chance that he will be ready for action in late November, with the youngster able to walk again without the aid of a protective boot. He has been doing light rehab work in the pool at Chelsea’s training ground, but he is still some way off rejoining the rest of the first-team squad.

Mauricio Pochettino has been unable to put a timescale on Lavia’s recovery, with all concerned continuing to play a frustrating waiting game. Chelsea – who have made a slow start to the 2023-24 campaign - will be back in Premier League action on Saturday when taking in a derby date with Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.