Romeo Lavia’s first competitive minutes since November could come today says exclusive
Romeo Lavia has had an injury nightmare this season, and through his whole time at Chelsea. But he’s close to a return to action.
Romeo Lavia’s three seasons at Chelsea so far have been a complete nightmare, lets’ face it. But the midfielder is closing in on his latest return to action.
An exclusive in the Evening Standard claims that he’s going to play tonight for the Chelsea Under-21 team against Leeds, getting some competitive action as he builds up his match fitness. He’s not played since the start of November.
They say that Lavia has been back in first team training for “ten days to two weeks,” so he’s ready to try a game. The match against Arsenal on March 1st is “earmarked” as the game he could make his first team return. We’ll see how he gets on later today.
Lavia still has a future as a first team squad option, if not a regular
Romeo Lavia sits on the turf after picking up an injury against Qarabag.
Let’s be honest – after three seasons of featuring rarely (if at all), none of us have much faith in Lavia ever getting back to the level of playing regularly enough to be a key squad member. But he’s still just 22, and stranger things have happened. If he could play regularly but with managed minutes, like Reece James and Wesley Fofana, that would still be useful.
And it’s too early to rule that out as a possibility. So let’s stay positive.
In other news…
Estevao has named his “hardest challenge” since arriving at Chelsea, and it might not be what you expect…
Landon Emenalo is a rising star in the academy, and we’re keen to see his first team debut – it should be coming up very soon.
Check out the latest edition of Simon Phillips’ SPTC podcast here:
Trae Young moves closer to Wizards debut, Anthony Davis in holding pattern
WASHINGTON (AP) — Trae Young is getting closer to his Washington Wizards debut, but Anthony Davis still isn’t ready for the practice court, the team announced on Thursday.
The Wizards acquired the injured duo — who have 14 All-Star appearances between them — in respective trades with Atlanta in January and Dallas earlier this month.
The 27-year-old Young last played on Dec. 27. He will “ramp up” basketball activities to continue his recovery from an MCL sprain and a thigh bruise, according to a team statement, and be evaluated next week.
Earlier this month, Wizards GM Will Dawkins said Young had been practicing in one-on-none and two-on-two settings.
The 32-year-old Davis last played on Jan. 8.
After rehabbing ligament damage in his hand in Dallas before the All-Star break, he's now in Washington following a visit to hand surgeon Steven Shin in Los Angeles. He'll be reevaluated in two weeks.
“You just follow the process,” Washington coach Brian Keefe said. “That’s what we always do.”
___
AP NBA: https://www.apnews.com/hub/NBA
Grizzlies' Caldwell-Pope to miss rest of the season after undergoing finger surgery
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Memphis Grizzlies guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery on his right pinky finger.
The Grizzlies had announced Wednesday that Caldwell-Pope would have surgery to address a misalignment of the finger. After Caldwell-Pope had the procedure Thursday, the Grizzlies announced he won't play again this season.
Grizzlies officials said Caldwell-Pope is expected to make a full recovery in time for the start of the 2026-27 season.
The 33-year-old Caldwell-Pope averaged 8.4 points, 2.7 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 21.3 minutes in 51 games this season.
__
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba