Lavia, Essugo Return to Training for Chelsea Ahead of Arsenal Clash
Chelsea received encouraging news on the injury front Tuesday, as midfielders Romeo Lavia and Dario Essugo were spotted in full training ahead of Sunday’s Premier League derby against Arsenal.
Lavia Nears First-Team Return
Lavia, who has been sidelined since November with a thigh injury sustained in a 2-2 draw with Qarabag in the Champions League, is progressing well in his recovery. He recently made a 45-minute appearance for the Chelsea Under-21s last Friday and was as well on the bench for the first team’s 1-1 Premier League draw the following day.
“While the 22-year-old has yet to build his senior return since sustaining a thigh injury in the 2-2 draw with Qarabag in the Champions League back in November, it is good to see him involved in full team training.”
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Reports indicate that Chelsea are hoping Lavia can feature for the Under-21s against Leeds United on Friday as a further step in his comeback. The club has tentatively earmarked the trip to face Arsenal on March 1 as a potential date for his first-team return.
Essugo Also Back in Contention
Essugo, who joined Chelsea from Sporting in the summer, is also nearing a return to action. He made substitute appearances during Chelsea’s Club World Cup-winning campaign but has not featured for the first team since the start of the 2025/26 season.
Head coach Liam Rosenior had previously indicated Essugo was close to returning in January, but a setback delayed his progress. His presence in Tuesday’s training session suggests he is now on track, potentially even ahead of schedule, for a March return.
Other Team News
Wesley Fofana, despite serving a one-match suspension due to two yellow cards received against Burnley, participated in training. Estevao was absent, having picked up a hamstring injury in training, though his return before the Arsenal match remains a possibility.
Malo Gusto and Jorrel Hato also took part in training, likely preparing to fill the left-back positions in the absence of the injured Marc Cucurella.
FAQ
- Is Romeo Lavia fit to play against Arsenal? Not yet confirmed, but he is progressing well and could feature.
- When is Dario Essugo expected to return? He is on track for a return in March.
- Who is unavailable for Chelsea against Arsenal? Estevao (hamstring injury) and Wesley Fofana (suspension).
Pro Tip
Monitoring player recovery and integrating them back into training gradually is crucial to prevent re-injury and ensure long-term fitness.
The return of Lavia and Essugo provides a welcome boost to Chelsea’s midfield options as they prepare for a challenging London derby against league leaders Arsenal.