Chelsea face fresh injury blow as key midfielder sidelined during international duty

Belgian midfielder Romeo Lavia's hamstring troubles have resurfaced, forcing him to step away from training with the national team, Belgium manager Domenico Tedesco confirmed today. The £58 million Chelsea signing's latest injury comes as a blow to both his national team and club commitments, putting his participation in upcoming matches at risk.

Injury assessment and player's response

Initial signs of trouble emerged when Lavia felt discomfort during morning training with Belgium. While the 20-year-old tried to downplay the situation in his conversation with RTL Sports, saying, "I received a small knock. At the moment, we are testing to see if it's okay, but it should be okay, I think," the reality proved more concerning.

Belgium manager Tedesco took a careful stance, stating,

"Romeo Lavia has a hamstring problem, it was bothering him this morning and we didn't want to risk him."

This development has ruled Lavia out of Belgium's matches against Italy and potentially Israel.

Impact on Chelsea's season

The timing of this injury creates a significant challenge for Chelsea, as Lavia had just begun making his mark in the team's midfield. After a difficult start that limited him to only 32 minutes of playing time due to previous injuries, he had finally found his rhythm alongside Moises Caicedo. His recent performances have been so impressive that he earned a starting position over Enzo Fernandez.

Football pundit and former Liverpool player Steve Nicol highlighted Lavia's importance to the team, noting, "Lavia gives Caicedo someone to work with, rather than leaving him to do it all on his own." This partnership had brought stability to Chelsea's midfield, making his potential absence particularly concerning.

Recovery timeline and next fixtures

Chelsea's immediate focus shifts to Lavia's recovery as they prepare for their Premier League clash against Leicester City on 23 November. The club's medical team will evaluate his condition upon his return from international duty.

Given his history with injuries, Chelsea's management will likely take extra precautions with his rehabilitation process to prevent any long-term complications.

The coming days will be crucial in determining the extent of Lavia's injury and its impact on Chelsea's campaign. With the midfielder playing such a vital role in the team's structure, his availability could significantly influence the team's performance in their upcoming fixtures.