Romeo Lavia: Chelsea star hit with new injury as four pre-season absences explained

The midfielder signed for Chelsea from Southampton in 2023 but has struggled for fitness since and is yet to play a full 90-minute match for the club. Persistent hamstring problems limited him to just 21 appearances in all competitions last season.And the same problem appears to have reared its head again as Alonso confirmed a new hamstring issue ruled him out of Tuesday’s match at the Accor Stadium.Chelsea’s new manager said Lavia “felt something in his hamstring” and he decided it “was not worth taking a risk.” It is hoped he can return in time to face Tottenham on Saturday.It remains to be seen whether he will feature in that match, though, as his dismal injury record might push the club to treat him with kid gloves for the remainder of pre-season.Lavia was not the only absentee in the