Xabi Alonso dealt fresh injury worry as £53m Chelsea star 'limps off' early on international duty

By Lewis Blain | 29 Sep 2026 07:49, Last updated: 29 Sep 2026 07:49

Chelsea person been handed a imaginable wounded scare aft Romeo Lavia appeared to prime up a occupation portion making his elder Belgium debut against France.

The Blues midfielder was forced disconnected successful the 80th infinitesimal of the Red Devils' 1-0 defeat successful the UEFA Nations League A, raising caller concerns implicit his fitness.

Why was Romeo Lavia substituted for Belgium vs France?

Lavia earned his archetypal elder Belgium commencement against France connected Monday aft impressing for Chelsea nether Alonso this season.

The 22-year-old produced an encouraging show successful midfield alongside Manchester United's Youri Tielemans, helping Belgium vie successful a intimately contested brushwood successful Brussels.

However, his evening appeared to extremity connected a worrying enactment erstwhile helium 'limped off' successful the 80th infinitesimal aft seemingly pulling up, per the Evening Standard.

Lavia has endured persistent wounded problems since joining Chelsea 3 years agone and is yet to implicit a afloat 90 minutes of competitory shot for the club.

His latest setback initially raised fears that helium could beryllium facing different spell connected the sidelines, but the £53m midfielder subsequently suggested the contented was cramp.

Speaking to Belgian broadcaster VTM aft the match, Lavia said: "Pride and disappointment are the main feelings tonight. I americium arrogant due to the fact that this was my archetypal start."

France yet secured a 1-0 triumph done Michael Olise's precocious solo effort, leaving Belgium empty-handed.

Romeo Lavia lack would beryllium a large stroke to Xabi Alonso and Chelsea

Even if Lavia's latest contented proves minor, Chelsea volition beryllium hopeless to debar different lengthy lack for a midfielder who has yet begun to found himself nether Alonso.

The Blues opted against signing different cardinal midfielder during the summer, leaving their squad looking worryingly abbreviated of options successful the position.

Moises Caicedo and Reece James person also been dealing with wounded concerns, further highlighting the value of keeping Lavia fit.

The Belgian's quality to supply energy, antiaircraft extortion and composure successful possession makes him a invaluable enactment for Alonso, peculiarly with Chelsea competing crossed aggregate competitions.

A important wounded would permission the Chelsea brag with constricted alternatives and perchance unit him to rethink his midfield plans.

For now, the proposition that Lavia was suffering from cramp alternatively than a superior wounded volition travel arsenic a relief, but Chelsea volition beryllium hoping helium returns from planetary work without further complications.