Enzo Maresca must be feeling like he is caught in a loop of bad luck. Just eight minutes into Chelsea’s Champions League match against Qarabag, Romeo Lavia pulled up lame and was replaced by Moises Caicedo, who was already ready to step in. You could almost hear the collective groan from the Stamford Bridge faithful, as this was not the deja vu anyone wanted.
Lavia’s Struggles in the Midfield
Since his arrival for nearly £60 million in the summer of 2023, Lavia has found himself competing with two midfield heavyweights: Caicedo, who continues to justify his significant price tag, and the reliable Enzo Fernandez. This fierce competition makes breaking into the starting eleven challenging. To make matters worse, a series of untimely injuries have severely limited Lavia’s game time. He has only managed to play one half of Premier League action, during a 45-minute cameo against Nottingham Forest.
The latest setback occurred so early in the match that it felt almost like a cruel joke. With Lavia limping off just eight minutes in, 18-year-old Estevao stepped up and put the Blues ahead within the next eight minutes. After the match, Maresca noted that it was too early for a definitive diagnosis but speculated it could be a quad issue. At least it does not appear to be another hamstring problem, which is a small mercy.
Lavia’s Injury History
Digging into the numbers, the Belgian youngster has missed a staggering 77 matches for Chelsea due to persistent hamstring issues. Just days before this game, Maresca had discussed the importance of carefully managing Lavia’s minutes to prevent further injury. Unfortunately, this strategy has backfired, leaving fans wondering if they will ever see the player in full form.
When Liverpool showed interest in him, there was optimism that Lavia’s talents might flourish elsewhere. However, Chelsea has borne the brunt of his misfortunes, and whispers are growing that the £58 million investment may have been a gamble that did not pay off.
Patience and Planning Required
There is, however, a reminder about the importance of patience and strategic planning in football. Every squad requires depth, and when injuries strike, versatility and resilience become as valuable as any new signing.
Looking Ahead
In the meantime, Chelsea and their fans must hope that this latest injury is only a minor setback. After all, placing faith in a young midfielder on the mend is akin to backing a long shot; it requires nerves of steel, a touch of optimism, and perhaps, just maybe, a hint of good fortune.