Chelsea’s pre-season preparations have suffered an early setback after Romeo Lavia missed the opening friendly with a hamstring issue, raising fresh concerns over his long-term fitness.
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Chelsea injury news has taken another turn after Romeo Lavia missed the club’s pre-season opener with a hamstring issue. The midfielder’s latest setback has brought back concerns over his fitness. Xabi Alonso has showed optimism that he could return for the upcoming clash with Tottenham.
Romeo Lavia misses friendly with hamstring concern
Chelsea have started their summer schedule with a victory in Australia. They beat Western Sydney in a high-scoring friendly, with the scoreline ending 6-4. However, the absence of Romeo Lavia from the matchday squad raised concerns among the fans. The young midfielder felt discomfort in his hamstring during the lead-up to the game. In response, the coaching staff decided to withdraw him from the lineup.
As reported by The Standard, the head coach confirmed that the player felt an issue during practice. Xabi Alonso chose not to take any unnecessary risks with the player’s health. The manager provided a direct update on the situation after the game ended. Alonso said:“He felt something in the hamstring. Not a big thing. We are expecting him to be fit for Saturday, hopefully.”
He made clear that there was no point in gambling on his fitness during a friendly match. This setback occurred just as the team were looking to integrate Lavia into the new tactical system.
Romeo Lavia for Chelsea in 2025/26, as per FOTMOB:
Competitions Matches Goals Assists Interception Defensive Contributions
Premier League 12 0 0 5 37
FA Cup 3 0 0 1 3
UCL 4 0 0 1 3
Romeo Lavia’s injury record continues to raise questions
The number of physical issues for the player has become a major talking point. Since his purchase from Southampton for a fee of £58m, he has struggled to find his form on the pitch. As reported by GOAL, this latest incident marks the 12th injury Lavia has picked up since joining the club. More remarkably, he is yet to complete a full 90 minutes in a competitive football match for the Blues.
His hamstring issues have greatly reduced his output relative to the high transfer cost. Xabi Alonso now faces the difficult task of dealing with the risks. This concern adds to the broader injury issues within the club. But the boss has made it clear that he will focus on long-term fitness over availability in pre-season friendlies.
Because the Belgian was unfit, the manager gave a chance to 16-year-old Reggie Watson. The teenager played the full match and earned praise for his efforts.
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How the latest setback could affect Chelsea’s campaign
Before his current setback, there was a sense of fresh confidence from Lavia. He shared a diary entry expressing how good he felt heading into the new campaign. He said he had worked closely with the medical staff to ensure he was ready for the new season.
However, the current scenario contrasts sharply with those positive words. As reported by Talk Chelsea, some sections of the media have called the player “Same Old Lavia.”. This response reflects the frustration over a skilled player who cannot seem to stay fit.
Aside from the Belgian, Chelsea have also dealt with other missing players. The coaching staff deemed Jorrel Hato and Mamadou Sarr short of match fitness. Despite the bad news, there is still hope for a quick return. The medical team expects the midfielder to return for the scheduled clash with Tottenham. A positive return would be a vital step as the club prepares for the Premier League.
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