Revealed: Why Xabi Alonso REFUSED to substitute 'exhausted' Chelsea star during victory over AC Milan
Xabi Alonso offered a fascinating insight into his man-management methods after leading Chelsea to a dominant 3-0 pre-season victory against AC Milan in Jakarta, with the Spaniard making the bold decision to keep Romeo Lavia on the pitch for the full 90 minutes despite the midfielder's visible fatigue. The tactical choice proved pivotal in helping the 22-year-old overcome a significant psychological hurdle that has haunted his Chelsea career. It was a decision that underscored Alonso's calculated approach to nurturing a player fighting back from a torrid injury record.
A Mental Block Overcome
After the full-time whistle at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Alonso explained his tough-love approach to managing Lavia's fitness. "Romeo Lavia has this mental block when it comes to playing 90 minutes," the manager revealed. "He was tired but I said 'Let him play, let him play.' We let him do the 90 and he finishes exhausted. I think that he is really happy."
The decision to refuse substitution reflected Alonso's deeper understanding of his player's psychological needs rather than immediate physical demands. By forcing Lavia to complete the full match despite his exhaustion, the manager aimed to break through a barrier that had constrained the midfielder throughout his Chelsea tenure. It was a display of confidence in both the player and the process, prioritising long-term mental resilience over short-term comfort.
Three Years in the Making
For Lavia, the run-out at the Jakarta stadium represented a significant milestone in what has been a gruelling recovery journey. It marked only his second completed 90-minute appearance in over three years. Since joining Chelsea in a £53 million deal in August 2023, the 22-year-old had been restricted to just 43 appearances, with a relentless cycle of thigh, hamstring and quadriceps injuries forcing him to miss more than 80 matches for the west London side.
The sheer scale of his injury troubles had defined his Chelsea career thus far, limiting opportunities to demonstrate the qualities that prompted such a substantial investment. Yet Saturday's performance in Jakarta suggested that the worst of his physical struggles may finally be behind him. Reflecting on his individual progress, Lavia thanked the medical staff who had helped him reach a position where he could complete a full pre-season match. "The confidence comes from all the work with all the people at the club who have helped me get into a good position to ensure that I could have a good pre-season and to get going strongly here," he said.
Cautious Optimism for the Season Ahead
Lavia's reaction to his landmark achievement was evident in his comments following the victory. "I'm very happy with how things have gone, the minutes I've played under Xabi, and I'm excited for the season ahead," the midfielder stated. "We are really enjoying working under the new manager. He has come in and implemented his ideas and we are all very happy with him. We hope it's going to be a good season."
His words reflected not just personal satisfaction but genuine belief in the direction Alonso is taking the club. The Chelsea manager's willingness to exhaust Lavia on Saturday rather than replace him appeared to pay immediate dividends, with the midfielder emerging from the match mentally reinvigorated by the accomplishment of reaching the full-time whistle without substitution.
A Platform for Dominance
The 3-0 victory itself ensured the Premier League giants dominated AC Milan in Jakarta, providing a much-needed boost for Alonso's squad following recent friendly defeats against Juventus and Tottenham. Joao Pedro scored twice whilst Moises Caicedo added a spectacular outside-of-the-boot volley, demonstrating Chelsea's attacking quality throughout the match.
There was little time for Lavia and his teammates to rest, however. Chelsea were scheduled to play Malaysian side Johor Darul Ta'zim just 24 hours later. Alonso confirmed that he would rotate his squad heavily for that second fixture to protect his senior stars from burnout. "The idea for tomorrow was already done yesterday," he explained. "Many young players will have the chance to play tomorrow. Because playing two games in two days is quite intense, we need them for tomorrow."