Romeo Lavia is back on the injury list for Chelsea, but things could have been different if another Premier League side had shown interest a few months ago.
Last summer was a busy one for Chelsea, with plenty of players moving on. Lavia was not expected to be one of them, but he was still put up for sale.
Injuries have plagued his time at the club since arriving two years ago, and patience appears to be wearing thin.
Supporters are now growing frustrated again after another setback that will keep him out.
That view of the Belgian midfielder was already evident in the summer, when Chelsea tried to use him as a bargaining chip in their chase for another promising young player.
How Chelsea’s attempt to offload Romeo Lavia ended in a straight cash deal
Chelsea spent the summer monitoring Alejandro Garnacho but waited a while to move, possibly because of how they were trying to structure the deal with Manchester United.
But according to ESPN, those talks did not lead anywhere.
The outlet explained: “United rejected Chelsea’s offer of Romeo Lavia as part of the deal that saw Alejandro Garnacho move to Stamford Bridge, ultimately for £40 million, due to concerns over the 21-year-old’s fitness record.”
Chelsea were not just open to letting Lavia go, they were prepared to take a significant hit compared to what Garnacho ended up costing them.
The Belgian prospect cost the club £58 million from Southampton. Now, at 21 years old, it seems he may be running out of trust with decision-makers at Stamford Bridge. The Blues have plans to bring in another midfielder, regardless of whether he is fit or not.
Garnacho for Lavia as a trade
Both players are 21, with plenty of time ahead of them to make their mark on the game.
Lavia’s time at Chelsea has not gone as planned. Instead of establishing himself, he has spent most of his tenure dealing with injuries and struggling to stay fit.
On the other hand, Garnacho has shown real promise in terms of fitness. He has missed only 14 matches in his career, all stemming from a single ankle injury in 2023.
The Argentine talent, who certainly brims with potential, has grown increasingly assured in a blue shirt. His availability is a huge asset, and the initial £40 million fee may prove to be an incredible bargain.
Lavia has always shown promise when fit, but his inability to stay healthy is a growing concern for the club. There is still hope he can turn things around and break free from this cycle of injuries, but right now, Garnacho seems to offer more value on both talent and reliability alone.
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