By TUM BALOGUN, SPORTS REPORTER

Published: 18:21, 5 November 2025 | Updated: 18:23, 5 November 2025

Chelsea suffered an early blow in Baku when Romeo Lavia was forced off inside five minutes of their Champions League clash with Qarabag.

The Belgian midfielder, making just his fourth start of the season, pulled up in visible discomfort before being replaced by Moises Caicedo. It came after only four minutes of play, adding to Lavia's wretched injury record since joining the club.

Footage showed the 21-year-old sitting on the turf before limping off alongside Chelsea's medical staff.

Lavia's latest setback comes less than 24 hours after head coach Enzo Maresca had spoken about the need to 'protect' him and manage his return carefully.

The Italian said the midfielder was still regaining sharpness after multiple setbacks that had restricted his minutes this year.

'The main target for Romeo now is to be fit, and to not get any injuries,' Maresca said before the match.

Chelsea suffered an early blow in Baku when Romeo Lavia was forced off inside five...