Chelsea boss Pochettino gives nightmare update on €62m signing

Chelsea boss Pochettino gives nightmare update on €62m signing

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has given an update on Romeo Lavia’s recovery from injury – or lack thereof.

It has been a nightmare start to life at Stamford Bridge for summer signing Romeo Lavia. The Blues parted with a whopping €62 million to beat Liverpool to the Southampton star’s signature.

Indeed, the Reds were long considered the favourites to snap up the former Man City youth product, but the Belgian preferred a move to London instead. It was a decision that raised eyebrows given that the Blues had already signed Moises Caicedo in a record deal and Lesley Ugochukwu shortly before, also adding Andrey Santos earlier in the year.

Regardless of whether Chelsea actually need Lavia, the fact of the matter is that the youngster has not yet featured for Mauricio Pochettino’s side, initially because of a lack of pre-season preparation and now because of an ankle injury.

Pochettino was asked about the 19-year-old’s status prior to his side’s clash with Burnley and the Argentine had to be the bearer of bad news. “I can’t tell you,” the boss responded to a question about whether Chelsea fans would get to see him soon, “but I’m not sure he will be back after the international break. He’s not even running.”

He did, however, give some good news regarding other injury scares. Mykhailo Mudryk and Moises Caicedo won’t have to sit out the Burnley game despite their knocks against Fulham on Monday.

“Yes,” Pochettino said, “both in the squad, we will decide later whether they have a chance for the start.” And regarding captain Reece James, Pochettino revealed: “He has been back and training with the squad.”

“We are really happy with the way he is recovering,” he continued. “We hope that he has the possibility to be involved after his suspension.”