“The good thing is…” – Enzo Maresca confirms crucial cog fit to play Chelsea’s next game | OneFootball

Chelsea’s injury problems should be over once this interminable international break comes to an end.

Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke have long been touted as coming back at this juncture, and another key piece has already stepped onto the pitch. After his latest long and frustrating absence, Romeo Lavia is ready to play again.

“The good thing is that we have also Romeo [Lavia] now, he’s started with us already. He can be back. We need [him] to be ready,” manager Enzo Maresca said after we beat Copenhagen in the Europa Conference League at the start of this month.

“Romeo could be fit, but not playing from the start,” Maresca responded when asked if the Belgian would be ready to start that weekend against Leicester. That surprised everyone a little, as there hadn’t been much expectation we’d see him until after this international break.

Triple injury return can raise whole team’s belief and spirits

Nicolas Jackson has suffered a serious hamstring injury. (Photo by: Reuters/Andrew Couldrige)

Lavia did indeed appear on the bench in that game, although he didn’t step on the pitch. He had to wait for the Arsenal game two weeks ago for that, and he played about 10 minutes.

It’s only a small step, and we’d expect him to need at least one longer sub appearance before he’s ready to start a Premier League game, but it’s a huge addition. That takes a lot of pressure off Moises Caicedo, who has been forced into a punishing schedule with Lavia out for such long stretches. It also means less need to use Reece James in midfield.

There’s no doubt there’s been a wobble in terms of confidence since Christmas, but sometimes players returning from injury are as much about bringing some belief back as they are about any tactical solutions.