Injury-stricken Chelsea player spotted in training ahead of Bayern Munich clash
Chelsea have received a boost after one of their first-teamers was spotted in training ahead of a Champions League clash with Bayern Munich.
The Blues are heading to Bavaria in a rematch of the infamous 2012 Champions League final, when Roberto Di Matteo’s side bested the German giants at the Allianz Arena.
Since then, the West London side have failed to beat Bayern in their three ensuing competitive meetings, with the last of those being a 4-1 defeat in August 2020.
Enzo Maresca’s side was one of the most active sides during the 2025 summer transfer window. Chelsea signed Joao Pedro from Brighton, Jamie Gittens from Borussia Dortmund, and Alejandro Garnacho from Man United.
Although Chelsea had a strong window in the summer, Maresca has been hampered by injuries, including to several key players.
However, the Italian manager has received some positive news ahead of Wednesday night’s Champions League game away to Bayern Munich.
Romeo Lavia returns to Chelsea first-team training
Romeo Lavia is back in training with Chelsea ahead of their meeting with Bayern at the Allianz.
The Belgium international is back in training alongside defender Benoit Badiashile, BBC Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella revealed on X.
The midfielder has not featured for the Blues since the win over Benfica in the Club World Cup round of 16 in the summer.
Lavia’s poor injury track record has frustrated Chelsea fans ever since he joined the club from Southampton in a deal worth £58million [Sky Sports] in August 2023.
The 21-year-old has made just 23 appearances for the West London side since making the move from the South Coast.
Lavia was also forced to miss Chelsea’s Conference League final victory over Real Betis, as Maresca had favoured more reliable players for his squad registration last season.
Lavia’s chances of playing against Bayern Munich
When fit, Maresca has often turned to Lavia to be the creative force of his side.
However, the former Man City man’s inability to remain healthy has placed him firmly behind Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo in the pecking order of Chelsea’s midfield.
Given that he has not played competitively for the Blues since mid-August, it would be a surprise to see him involved against Bayern.
If this game had happened last season, Maresca may have chosen to move Caicedo to right-back in order to afford his side more control over proceedings.
But with both Reece James and Malo Gusto available, and the addition of Andrey Santos to Chelsea’s midfield in the summer, the likelihood is that Lavia will be left out against the Bundesliga champions in order to continue his rehabilitation from this latest injury.