Enzo Maresca explains reason behind Romeo Lavia’s half-time substitution against Spurs as the Blues midfielder shares wound snap after being elbowed by Dejan Kulusevski
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has revealed the concerning reason behind his decision to substitute Romeo Lavia during Sunday’s 4-3 win over derby rivals Tottenham as the midfielder posted an update about his condition on social media.
Maresca celebrated a magical comeback victory over Spurs that saw Cole Palmer score twice in the London derby win that moves the Blues to within four points of Premier League leaders Liverpool.
However, Chelsea’s visiting celebrations were somewhat soured by Lavia’s forced removal from the match when the midfielder was hooked by Maresca at half-time.
The 20-year-old is quickly becoming a concrete starter in a team that is maintaining their surprise title challenge and was a constant danger during a frantic first-half against Spurs before being swapped at the interval.
One physical encounter during the opening 45 minutes saw Lavia elbowed in the back of the head by Spurs goalscorer Dejan Kulusevski in a moment of madness that could have resulted in a red card.
Kulusevski caught Lavia just behind his left ear and was somewhat fortunate to escape being sent off after a VAR review dismissed red card calls because the challenge ‘lacked excessive force’.
Chelsea midfielder Romeo Lavia was left in agony after being struck in Chelsea’s win over Tottenham
Blues boss Enzo Maresca (left) hooked Lavia (right) at half-time during Chelsea’s 4-3 win
The former Southampton prodigy was left in serious discomfort following the clash and required medical attention on the turf before eventually continuing for the remainder of the half.
Lavia later showed the deep wound sustained as a result of his altercation with Kulusevski after the game in a social media post, but Maresca explained he withdrew the midfielder due to another reason.
Chelsea and other Premier League clubs have entered the busiest time of the season with games coming every few days and Maresca warned after beating Spurs about not risking the fitness of his players.
‘Second half we adjust something, we deserved to win,’ the Chelsea boss told Sky Sports after the match.
Lavia shared an update after Chelsea’s win of the head wound sustained through clashing with Kulusevski
Kulusevski (left) caught Lavia (right) with a trailing elbow and avoided being sent off
‘We had a problem with Lavia. Gusto was inside. We just a little bit the two attacking midfielders. The change was good.
‘He [Lavia] felt a hamstring problem. Now he’s okay. We don’t want to take any risks,’ added the 44-year-old head coach.
Lavia could be given a rest by Maresca during Thursday’s UEFA Conference League clash against Astana before returning as the Blues host Brentford in the Premier League next weekend.
Meanwhile, Tottenham suffered their own injury complaints against Chelsea with defender Cristian Romero hobbling off after just 15 minutes on his return following a 35 day absence.
