The pair weren’t present for their pulsating 1-0 win over London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and remain on the treatment table for the foreseeable future.
Maresca could not give a timeline for their return but highlighted that Lavia could be back before Fofana.
The Italian tactician has had to navigate injuries to key players this year. Fofana and Lavia have missed a chunk of the season. The same goes for Reece James. Nicolas Jackson, Noni Madueke, and Marc Guiu also spent significant time sidelined.
Fofana’s case has been a recurring theme. After missing most of last term, he has played only 14 out of 30 Premier League games this season. In almost three years at the club, he has managed a measly 34 appearances.
Lavia has also been a firm fixture on the Chelsea injury list since joining the club from Southampton for £58 million at the beginning of last season. The Belgian has played only 596 minutes this season, a massive improvement on his 32-minute cameo in 2023/24.
Chelsea should cut their losses with Fofana and Lavia this summer – View
Given their persistent injury woes and limited contributions, Chelsea must make the difficult decision to cut their losses with both Fofana and Lavia this summer.
Cobham Academy graduate Trevoh Chalobah has proven to be a capable deputy for Fofana. The Frenchman should be on the chopping block, not Chalobah.
Also, the promising trio of Andrey Santos, Dario Essugo, and Lesley Ugochukwu are eager to step up and take the mantle from Lavia.
Retaining perpetually unavailable players hinders squad development and consumes valuable resources. Chelsea need players ready to perform week in and week out.
Lavia and Fofana cannot. Selling them is a pragmatic move necessary for the club to move forward under Maresca.
