Concerns mount for Chelsea boss Pochettino as injuries hit Lavia and Mudryk

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has voiced apprehension over the fitness of summer signing Romeo Lavia and winger Mykhailo Mudryk following the Blues’ hard-fought 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace in the English Premier League.

Romeo Lavia, who made his Chelsea debut as a second-half substitute after being sidelined by injuries since his £58 million summer transfer, faced an unspecified issue towards the end of the match. Pochettino expressed concern and mentioned that Lavia would undergo medical assessments, leaving him “a little bit worried.”

In addition to Lavia, Chelsea’s January acquisition, Mykhailo Mudryk, was also substituted with 20 minutes remaining, indicating a potential injury concern. Mudryk will undergo scans, intensifying Chelsea’s fitness worries as they approach their final match of 2023 against in-form Luton Town on New Year’s Day.

Pochettino commented on Lavia’s situation, stating, “He [Lavia] feels something, some issue. We need to check and hope it’s not [serious]. Hopefully, it is not a big issue, and he can play with us again. An important player that will recover, and it is going to be a shame if we cannot use him in the next few games.”

Looking ahead to the Luton Town clash, Pochettino emphasized the challenge posed by the relegation-battling team, demanding that Chelsea match Luton’s work rate and desire. He described it as a “good test” and stressed the importance of consistency in their performance, urging the team to fight, be clever, stay focused, and aim for victory.