Chelsea are without Romeo Lavia when they face a high-profile clash with Manchester City in the Premier League today, while Joao Felix also misses the game.
Belgian international Lavia, who endured a torrid first campaign at Stamford Bridge last term due to injury, has a muscle problem.
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He picked up the issue against Bournemouth last week and missed Monday night’s 3-1 win over Wolves.
On Friday, Blues boss Enzo Maresca revealed Lavia has failed to recover from that injury and will be out for weeks, but that Levi Colwill (knock) and Enzo Fernandez (muscle fatigue) are both in line to return against City after also missing the Wolves win.
“Probably Levi and Enzo could be available, depends on today’s session,” Maresca said. “Romeo will be out.”
Asked whether there is currently a timeframe for Lavia’s return, Maresca replied: “We don’t know yet. We need to wait a little bit more. At least a few weeks more.”
There will be no Felix for Chelsea at the Etihad, with the Portuguese forward having flown home after being granted compassionate leave following a recent family bereavement.
Trevoh Chalobah starts again after his man-of-the-match display against Wolves, which was his first appearance for Chelsea upon returning to the club following his early recall from a season-long loan spell at Crystal Palace.
Fellow centre-backs Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile are both still sidelined, while winger Mykhailo Mudryk remains unavailable.
Confirmed team news
Man City XI: Ederson, Nunes, Khusanov, Akanji, Gvardiol, Kovacic, Gundogan, Bernardo, Marmoush, Foden, Haaland
Subs: Ortega Stones, Grealish, De Bruyne, Reis, Savinho, O'Reilly, Lewis, McAtee
Chelsea XI: Sanchez; James, Colwill, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson
Subs: Jorgensen, Gusto, Acheampong, Disasi, Tosin, Dewsbury-Hall, Neto, Nkunku, Guiu
Injured: Lavia, Fofana, Badiashile
Out: Felix (compassionate leave)
Unavailable: Mudryk
Time and date: 5:30pm GMT on Saturday January 25, 2025
Venue: Etihad Stadium
How to watch: Sky Sports
