By projection, Romeo Lavia should be taking his place in the company of some of the best defensive midfielders in the world at this time, as players his age do, but it looks like he will be more frequent in the company of the medics.
The Belgian has again picked up another injury as Enzo Maresca announced he will be sidelined for upcoming games, when he has played just a game having recently returned from one which kept him out for two months.
If you realize just how big a prospect the 21-year-old is, you’re bound for feel for him, Chelsea and the Belgian national team because he is slowly wasting away – at such a young age, he is literally injury prone.
Romeo Lavia Injury History
It is always the hamstring. The Manchester City Academy alumnus first suffered a damaging hamstring injury during his senior debut season at Southampton in 2022/23, which saw him miss ten games as it took 56 days before he returned to full fitness.
Nevertheless, he played 2,231 Premier League minutes that season, which is at least 600 more minutes than any player aged 20 and under. A number which wouldn’t suggest him being anywhere near being ruined by injuries.
During the summer, before securing a move to Chelsea, he picked up a muscle tear but returned to training seven days later, and in August, he sealed a move to Chelsea, who beat off competition from Liverpool.
In his second season at Chelsea, which is already nearing completion, Romeo Lavia has picked up seven different injuries, which has limited him to just nine starts in 14 appearances across all competitions.
Bar one ankle injury, it is the recurring hamstring issue that has been haunting him ever since. The midfielder has already missed 64 Chelsea games, and has not been involved with the national team since his debut in March 2023, when he was still a Saint.
While the extent of his latest injury is yet to be known, the certainty is that it is not looking good for him, and at this time, even he may not be able to help himself.
You’ve Gotta Be Gutted for Romeo Lavia
Talent is not enough, but poor fitness is really a tough factor for a top prospect not to fulfil their potentials. Lavia is fading and so are his chances of retaining a spot at a top team.
While Moises Caicedo is one of the best defensive midfielders in the world and Enzo Fernandez is getting better in the Chelsea team, Lavia is different, in a more special and refined way. Strong at duels, dribbling and ball retention, he is like Enzo and Caicedo rolled into one.
Unfortunately, as more players poop in at Chelsea while he struggles to stay fit, his chances continues to diminish. In the summer, Andrey Santos and Dario Essugo will arrive at the club with the intention of fighting their way into the team, and Romeo Lavia may be the least of their concerns.
Kehinde-Hassan Afolabi
