Chelsea's mounting injury crisis has taken another devastating turn as summer signing Romeo Lavia was forced off after just five minutes during their Champions League encounter against Qarabag in Azerbaijan.
Disaster Strikes Early in Baku
The £58 million midfielder, who only recently returned to full fitness after missing the start of the season, collapsed to the turf during the early stages of Wednesday night's match. Lavia's premature exit represents yet another brutal blow for manager Mauricio Pochettino, who watched helplessly as his already depleted squad suffered another significant setback.
Medical staff rushed to attend to the 19-year-old Belgian international, whose distress was visible to the travelling Chelsea supporters. After brief treatment on the pitch, Lavia was unable to continue and made the lonely walk back to the dressing room, replaced by Lesley Ugochukwu.
Pochettino's Selection Headache Worsens
This latest injury compounds what has become a nightmare start to Lavia's Chelsea career following his high-profile move from Southampton. The talented youngster had been carefully managed back to fitness, with this match intended to provide valuable minutes ahead of Premier League commitments.
Instead, Pochettino now faces an even more severe selection crisis ahead of this weekend's crucial domestic fixture. With several key players already occupying the treatment room, the Chelsea manager's options in midfield are becoming increasingly limited.
What This Means for Chelsea's Campaign
The timing could hardly be worse for the West London club, who are attempting to build momentum across multiple competitions. Lavia's latest setback raises serious questions about:
- Player fitness management at Cobham training ground
- Squad depth following extensive summer recruitment
- Immediate selection options for upcoming Premier League matches
- Long-term impact on Lavia's development and confidence
Supporters will be hoping for positive news when the club provides a full medical update, but early signs suggest Chelsea's injury woes are far from over.
