Chelsea have suffered a significant setback ahead of their Club World Cup semi-final clash with Fluminense as midfielder Romeo Lavia has been ruled out due to injury.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca confirmed during his pre-match press conference that the Belgian international will miss Tuesday's crucial fixture because of a muscle injury sustained during Chelsea's victory over Benfica in the Round of 16.
The 21-year-old midfielder, who has been gradually building his fitness this season, subsequently missed Chelsea's quarter-final triumph against Palmeiras and has not yet rejoined full training with the squad.
"Romeo is training already but is unfortunately not training with us so is not ready for tomorrow," Maresca told reporters ahead of the semi-final showdown.
This injury comes at a critical time for Chelsea as they aim to advance to the final of the prestigious Club World Cup tournament. The winner of the semi-final encounter between Chelsea and Fluminense will progress to the championship match where they could potentially face one of football's elite clubs.
Chelsea's journey in the tournament has been impressive thus far, with victories over Benfica and Palmeiras demonstrating their determination to claim the global trophy. However, Lavia's absence could force Maresca to adjust his midfield strategy against the South American champions.
The Club World Cup semi-final between Chelsea and Fluminense is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, with both teams eager to secure their place in the final of this prestigious international club competition.
Stay updated with the latest Club World Cup news and follow BenriNews on our social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, Telegram.
