Chelsea fans are used to hearing bad news when it comes to Romeo Lavia and his fitness.
Unfortunately, Romeo Lavia has had a torrid time with injuries since he joined Chelsea from Southampton in the 2023 summer transfer window.
Since he arrived at Stamford Bridge, the defensive midfielder has only made 14 senior appearances. It’s so frustrating for everyone involved because the 21-year-old Belgian star is a super talent when he’s actually on the football pitch.
Season Appearances
2023/24 1
2024/25 13
Romeo Lavia’s record at Chelsea so far
It felt huge when Lavia chose to join Chelsea over Liverpool nearly two years ago, but he simply can’t escape injury interruptions.
He returned from a hamstring problem just before the international break with a late cameo in the defeat to Arsenal. However, the latest news is that the midfielder’s suffered a fresh issue in training.
During Wednesday’s press conference via Chelsea’s official website, head coach Enzo Maresca said: “He (Lavia) was doing better in terms of progress, but unfortunately one day ago he had again a small problem. So we’re going to see in the next hours.”
Of course, we’ll hope for a positive update on Lavia. His poor injury record means everyone will be fearful of another significant setback, though.
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Chelsea fans think Andrey Santos can replace Romeo Lavia
A selection of Chelsea supporters on social media are super frustrated to hear Lavia has another injury concern.
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Blues fans on X are all saying that Andrey Santos, who’s currently on loan at Strasbourg, will be the solution for them next season when he returns to Stamford Bridge…
One fan wrote: “Andrey Santos will fill this gap next season.”
“It’s evident that Romeo Lavia can’t stop Andrey Santos from displacing him,” another posted.
One supporter shared: “We are so lucky Andrey Santos is coming, this kid (Romeo Lavia) can’t be trusted to stay fit, it ain’t his fault but still so disappointing.”
“Thank God we’re bringing Andrey Santos to Chelsea. These injuries are becoming too much,” another claimed.
“Romeo Lavia – out. Andrey Santos – in. Easy! I can’t continue to be emotionally attached to a glass leg player anymore. Every time injured!” another added.
Finally, one fan said: “Another reason why Santos need to be in the Chelsea squad next season. Lavia is injury prone and maybe should be the one to be moved on maybe loan to Strasbourg next season would be good.”
Based off the 2024/25 season, Santos is ready to make a big impact in the Chelsea squad when he returns from a very successful loan spell with Strasbourg. The 20-year-old Brazilian star has looked like the complete central midfielder for the French Ligue 1 club.
In an interview this week, Santos insisted he’s ready to play for Chelsea but claims discussions will take place at the end of the season.
Even though Santos’ box-to-box style is a bit different to Lavia’s deep-lying playmaker role, we can understand why the fanbase view him as a replacement at Chelsea next season. The reality is that they need an extra body to help ease the burden off Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez in the centre of the park.
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Andrey Santos ready for Chelsea chance after lighting up Ligue 1
We’ve seen in the past that there’s no guarantee a Ligue 1 star will be a success in the Premier League, but what Santos has done this season at his young age can’t be overlooked.
The on-loan Strasbourg midfielder has been one of the very best performers in France’s top division this campaign.
Player Team Average rating
Achraf Hakimi Paris Saint-Germain 8.05
Ousmane Dembele Paris Saint-Germain 8.03
Joao Neves Paris Saint-Germain 7.80
Andrey Santos Strasbourg 7.74
Bradley Barcola Paris Saint-Germain 7.62
Ligue 1’s top five highest rated players in the 2024/25 season so far via FOTMOB
It’s no surprise that Santos is attracting transfer interest because of his impact at Strasbourg, scoring 10 goals in 27 games across all competitions from midfield this season. We’d love to see Chelsea show him he’s got a future and path into the first team with them, though.