Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Belgian midfielder Romeo Lavia will miss Sunday’s Premier League clash with Brentford, as injury woes continue to plague the 20-year-old’s debut season at Stamford Bridge.

Speaking during his pre-match press conference, Maresca offered updates on the fitness of several key players, including Lavia, Reece James and Wesley Fofana — all of whom have endured lengthy spells on the sidelines this season.

“For Sunday, Romeo is out,” Maresca revealed. “If you compare Romeo’s games this season to last season, he has already improved. But the target with Romeo is just to try to keep him fit as much as we can and play more games next season than this season.”

Since his £58 million move from Southampton last summer, Lavia has struggled with recurring injuries. It’s a frustrating blow for both player and club, especially as the team continues to grapple with midfield consistency due to injuries.

Maresca also drew parallels between Lavia’s situation and that of Reece James, another injury-hit talent whose game time has been carefully managed in recent weeks. James made the bench against Tottenham but wasn’t risked despite his obvious importance to the squad.

“We are trying to do the same with Reece – it’s not the same but a similar situation,” Maresca explained. “Reece is one of our best players, but he was on the bench because we try to take care of him. We know that in this moment he can’t play every three days, hopefully soon he can.”

Defender Wesley Fofana, meanwhile, remains sidelined with a muscle problem. “Wes had a muscle problem a few days [ago] and we are waiting for more checks,” Maresca said.

It’s a reminder that Chelsea’s long-term success under Maresca may rely as much on managing player fitness as it does on tactics or transfers. Lavia, James and Fofana are among the club’s brightest talents, but unless their injury troubles are brought under control, their impact on the pitch will remain limited.

The goal, Maresca insists, is simple: “Keep them fit because we know how important they are for us.”

For now, Chelsea fans will have to wait a little longer to see Romeo Lavia in full flow – and hope that next season brings the consistency and health the midfielder so desperately needs.