Chelsea Transfer News: Fabrizio Romano Dismisses Claims That Club Has Lost Patience With Highly Rated Youngster

Transfer news expert Fabrizio Romano has dismissed suggestions that Chelsea has lost faith in highly rated youngster Romeo Lavia due to his poor fitness record. The journalist also urged media houses not to spread such false news, saying these were not good for the player.

Romeo Lavia Has Struggled to Stay Fit

Last summer, Lavia generated a lot of buzz in the summer transfer window, as two of the biggest clubs in England, Chelsea and Liverpool, battled to secure his services from Southampton. Lavia initially leaned toward the Reds, but the Pensioners had the last laugh, as they lapped him up on a massive €62.1 million ($69.2 million) deal, tying him down to a seven-year contract.

Lavia, 20, was anticipated to become a staple in Chelsea’s midfield. However, due to a series of unfortunate injuries, he has not been able to meet said expectations. He missed the first 18 games of the 2023-24 Premier League season due to an ankle issue. On Matchday 19, he made his debut in a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace. Sadly, he was not seen again that season, as a hamstring injury kept him out of action.

Lavia took to the field for Chelsea in the 2-0 defeat to Manchester City on Matchday 1 of the 2024-25 Premier League season. But once again, his luck ran out, with him picking up another hamstring injury, and spending the last four league games on the bench.

Fabrizio Romano Insists Chelsea Still Has Faith in Romeo Lavia

With Lavia picking up another injury, there have been suggestions that Chelsea is running out of patience with him and could ship him off. Romano, however, insists that these stories are not credible. In his Daily Briefing column for CaughtOffside, the Italian said:

“Sticking with Chelsea, the stories in the press about Romeo Lavia are absolutely not true. Chelsea are very happy with his talent and skills. Of course he’s been unlucky with injuries but Chelsea are supporting Romeo, waiting for him, trusting his talent.

“Spreading negative stories with zero confirmation of that is not the best for the boy, there’s nothing in these stories at all.”

It has been a frustrating start to his Chelsea career, but Lavia still has plenty of time to turn it around. His road to redemption could begin with the clash with Brighton & Hove Albion on September 28.