Romeo Lavia's struggles continued for Chelsea in their disappointing defeat to Nottingham Forest, raising serious questions about his place in the starting lineup. The Belgian midfielder, making his third consecutive start after returning from injury, delivered another underwhelming performance that has fans and pundits alike calling for a change.

According to FotMob's player ratings, Lavia earned a lowly 6.0/10, the worst score among Chelsea's outfield players. While he was characteristically tidy in possession—completing 40 of 44 passes—his impact in both attack and defense was minimal. With just three defensive contributions (fewest among outfield starters) and zero chances created, the numbers paint a stark picture of a player struggling to influence games.

The contrast with fellow midfielder Enzo Fernandez is telling. Fernandez created seven chances from deep, highlighting what Lavia currently lacks in offensive output. For a team that's already struggling to find its rhythm, having a midfielder who simply "looks after the ball" isn't enough—especially when he's not providing adequate defensive cover either.

Youngster Jesse Derry emerged as one of the few bright spots on his senior debut, but the rest of the squad looked disjointed and out of ideas. With Chelsea reportedly considering a managerial change—including the intriguing possibility of appointing Xavi Hernandez—the pressure is mounting on current coach Calum McFarlane to find answers.

For now, the message from the stats is clear: Lavia needs to be dropped until he can rediscover the form that made him such a promising prospect. In a team desperate for contributions from every player, a midfielder who offers little at either end of the pitch is a luxury Chelsea simply can't afford.