Mauricio Pochettino highlights worrying Romeo Lavia ‘concern’ in Crystal Palace game: “He was struggling to run”

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino talks about Romeo Lavia after Crystal Palace win

In the aftermath of Chelsea’s hard-fought victory against Crystal Palace on Wednesday, the Blues received a bittersweet update from manager Mauricio Pochettino. The debutant, Romeo Lavia, who had impressed with his forward passing and composure in possession, suffered a late knock towards the end of the match, raising concerns about his availability for the upcoming clash against Luton Town.

Pochettino confirmed that Lavia’s fitness would need to be thoroughly evaluated before the trip to Luton. The Belgian midfielder, introduced off the bench early in the second half against Crystal Palace, showcased glimpses of his potential, instantly becoming a talking point among the Chelsea faithful. However, the late setback has cast a shadow over his immediate availability.

The head coach expressed his concern about Lavia’s condition and how he made a few tactical changes to ensure that Lavia’s knock does not have an adverse effect on the player, who is coming off of a lengthy injury layoff.

Here is what Poch had to say about Lavia to the club’s official website after the 2-1 win over the Eagles:

“Lavia felt something and we need to check and hope it’s not too bad,”

“We are a little bit worried because if you watch the game [against Crystal Palace] I had to change his position with (Conor) Gallagher at the end because he was struggling to run.”

The potential absence of Lavia raises intriguing questions about how Pochettino might adjust his midfield setup for the clash against Luton Town. The Belgian’s recent return from injury coupled with his ability to seamlessly integrate into the midfield and provide a dynamic presence was a positive sign for Chelsea.

If Lavia is deemed unfit for the Luton Town fixture, Pochettino will need to reassess his midfield options. The manager faces the challenge of maintaining the balance and dynamism that Lavia brought to the side. The injury concern comes at a time when Chelsea are navigating a busy period of the season, requiring Pochettino to carefully manage his squad’s fitness and tactical approach.

One potential solution could involve reverting to a more familiar midfield setup, with the likes of Conor Gallagher taking on a more prominent role. Gallagher’s versatility and work rate make him a viable candidate to fill in at defensive midfield.

The English midfielder has been a consistent performer for Chelsea, contributing both defensively and offensively.

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The clash against Luton Town presents an opportunity for other midfield talents to step up and showcase their capabilities. Let’s see how things go. KTBFFH!