Delap, Colwill, Lavia: Latest Chelsea injury news and potential return dates ahead of Man United clash
The latest updates on Chelsea’s injured stars, including Liam Delap, Levi Colwill and Romeo Lavia
Chelsea were given a brutal welcome back to the Champions League when they fell to a 3-1 defeat against German champions Bayern Munich in their first fixture in the competition for two years.
The match at the Allianz Arena saw star man Cole Palmer make his return to the starting line-up for the first time since the opening day of the season - and he marked his return with an impressive performance and a goal - showing plenty of signs of quality despite his team’s defeat.
It’s been a challenging few days for Enzo Maresca and his side after a disappointing 2-2 draw against Brentford at the weekend - and he’s currently sweating over the fitness of a number of key stars heading into this weekend’s showdown with Manchester United. With that in mind, we take a look at the latest updates on Chelsea’s stricken players below along with their expected return dates when available.
When will Liam Delap return to the Chelsea side?
Liam Delap’s thigh injury against Fulham caused all sorts of havoc on deadline day as Chelsea threatened to recall Nicolas Jackson from his loan at Bayern Munich at the eleventh hour, before instead deciding to bring back Marc Guiu just as he was getting his feet under the table at the Stadium of Light with Sunderland.
Delap, whose one goal in nine matches for the Blues came in the Club World Cup, scored 12 times for Ipswich Town last term and is hoping to stake a claim to make it into Thomas Tuchel’s England squad before next summer’s 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. The England Under-21 international is great in the air and a terrific goal poacher that could still play a big role later in the season.
He’s expected to miss the next couple of months through injury and is targeting a return for the end of November, just days before the Blues’ showdown with Barcelona in the Champions League. Potential return date: Burnley vs Chelsea (22 November)
Chelsea injury latest
Roméo Lavia hasn’t featured since the Club World Cup after sustaining an unknown muscle injury. The Belgian has had a tough time finding fitness since arriving at Stamford Bridge from Southampton. Potential return date: Chelsea vs Brighton (27 November)
Out-of-favour central defender Benoît Badiashile is also nursing a muscle injury. The French defender was expected to return to action at the start of September but is still working on his recovery. Potential return date: Chelsea vs Brighton (27 November)
Elsewhere, England international Levi Colwill is expected to miss almost the entire season with a serious ACL injury, potentially killing any hopes of him playing in the World Cup. His absence increases the pressure on the likes of Wesley Fofana, Nathaniel Chalobah and summer signing Jorell Hato among others to step up and prove themselves. Potential return date: unknown.
Dario Luis Essugo, a signing from Sporting CP, remains on the sidelines with a thigh injury but an exact return date hasn’t been determined. Potential return date: unknown.