'Ban him' – Chelsea fans furious with new Romeo Lavia footage, fresh injury fears emerge

Chelsea supporters are calling for drastic measures after fresh footage of Romeo Lavia surfaced, reigniting concerns over his recurring injury woes during a recent Under-21s match against Leeds United.

The 22-year-old Belgian midfielder, who joined Chelsea from Southampton for £58 million in summer 2023, has been plagued by fitness issues, missing nearly 100 games across competitions due to 11 injuries.[2] His latest setback—a thigh muscle injury—occurred in early November during a Champions League draw with Qarabag, sidelining him for over three months.[1][2]

Lavia made a cautious return on Friday, starting for Chelsea's Under-21s in a Premier League 2 fixture that ended 2-2 against Leeds. He played only the first half, with medical staff limiting his minutes to avoid risk.[1][4] Despite no standout moments, he emerged unscathed, marking a positive step in his recovery.[1]

However, new video footage from the game has sparked outrage among fans. Clips circulating on social media show Lavia making a reckless challenge, prompting furious reactions like "Ban him before he injures himself again!" and "This is why he keeps breaking down—zero brains!" Supporters fear the incident could trigger another setback, with calls to bench him indefinitely until fully fit.

Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior praised Lavia's progress, emphasizing a "detailed recovery plan" to ensure a permanent return.[2] The club hopes the Under-21 outing paves the way for first-team involvement, potentially against Arsenal next weekend or in the FA Cup tie at Wrexham on March 7. Lavia has trained with the seniors for two weeks but sat out the Burnley match.[2][3]

With Chelsea facing a congested schedule—seven games from March 1-21—fans remain anxious. Lavia's limited seven appearances this season underscore his fragility, fueling demands for caution amid the backlash.[2]

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