Romeo Lavia injury update as forgotten Chelsea star bids to end horror year

Chelsea midfielder Romeo Lavia has posted a selfie in the gym as he updates fans over his recovery.

The 20-year-old joined the Blues for £53million last summer following an impressive season at Southampton in the Premier League. However, the Belgian had to wait four months to make his debut after struggling with injuries, coming off the bench for the final 32 minutes against Crystal Palace in December.

Some Chelsea fans were calling for Lavia to be thrown into the starting XI for their next match, but he suffered a setback and injured his hamstring in the process. He has not featured since, with the Blues confirming back in March that he was to miss the rest of the season.

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Almost six months on from his first and only appearance in a Chelsea shirt, Lavia has posted an update to fans as he bids to return at the start of the new campaign. In an Instagram story, Lavia uploaded a selfie with the caption: "bla, bla, bla," followed by a laughing face emoji and a train track emoji.

When he returns to full fitness, Lavia will be hoping to impress his new manager Enzo Maresca after the Italian was appointed as Mauricio Pochettino's replacement earlier this month.

And team-mate Cole Palmer has backed Lavia to shine when he comes back. Palmer told SPORTbible: "One person I've played with [who's good] is Romeo Lavia.

"We've not seen him this season because he's been injured for a full year. But I think he's on that, when he gets playing, everyone will think 'he's really good'."

Following the dismissal of Pochettino on May 21, Chelsea had been searching for a successor before Maresca was confirmed following his departure from newly-promoted Leicester.

"To join Chelsea, one of the biggest clubs in the world, is a dream for any coach. It is why I am so excited by this opportunity," Maresca told Chelsea's official website.

"I look forward to working with a very talented group of players and staff to develop a team that continues the club’s tradition of success and makes our fans proud."