€35m Chelsea midfielder ruled out of Barcelona clash – Report | OneFootball

Much of the recent talk surrounding FC Barcelona has centred on the number of injuries the squad has suffered. For once, though, it is an opposition player who will not feature against the Catalan club.

FC Barcelona are set to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge shortly after the international break. It is a Champions League game with much riding on it, with Flick’s men having dropped points in two of their four matches so far.

According to Mundo Deportivo, 21-year-old Chelsea midfielder Romeo Lavia has been ruled out of the Barcelona clash after suffering an injury against Qarabag. The Belgian had to be replaced after just eight minutes by Moises Caicedo.

Lavia’s time at Stamford Bridge since his move from Southampton has been characterised by incessant injury issues. Every time it seems the €35 million-rated Belgian midfielder is set to turn over a new leaf, a new problem hampers his progress.

So far, the former Saints midfielder has missed 78 games for Chelsea. That said, even if fit, he was unlikely to start against Barcelona. Enzo Maresca’s first-choice midfield pairing for big games is Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo.

The South American duo going up against Frenkie de Jong and Pedri is likely to be the deciding factor at the Bridge. For that to happen, the Canary Islands midfielder, who is nursing an injury himself, needs to recover in time.

Lavia’s absence is not going to alter the landscape of the Barcelona vs Chelsea game. Pedri’s absence would, though. Let us hope the midfield magician can make a complete recovery and take his place in the XI in west London.