Chelsea have Romeo Lavia back fit again preparing during this summer’s pre-season and his reintroduction could be vital next year.
Romeo Lavia, 20, joined Chelsea last summer from Southampton. His debut campaign is one he’ll want to forget because injury meant he only actually made one appearance, though.
Thankfully, the Belgian midfielder’s back fit and with the squad during their current pre-season tour of the United States.
Chelsea fans loved Lavis’s performance against Wrexham. He’s followed that up with two more appearances in friendly matches against Celtic and Club America in the US.
Here are five reasons to be excited about Lavia going into next season:
Romeo Lavia feels super fit
First and foremost, Chelsea supporters need Lavia to be on the pitch to get excited. There’s going to be some doubt after he missed nearly the whole of the 2023/24 season with injury, too.
However, the extremely positive news is that Lavia’s feeling and looking sharp in pre-season.
Journalist Simon Phillips reported via Substack in June that Lavia’s camp felt he was in top physical condition. Based on the fact he’s started all three pre-season matches so far in the United States, it’s certainly looking that way.
The youngster has started every friendly game on the tour so far, beginning with 45 minutes against Wrexham. This was followed by over an hour versus Celtic and Club America as his fitness is sensibly built up.
Enzo Maresca has a perfect No 6
When you look at Lavia’s qualities both on and off the ball, he’s tailor-made to succeed in the Chelsea XI.
Blues head coach Enzo Maresca regularly played with a single pivot at the base of midfield last year at Leicester City, who’s accompanied by an inverted full-back in possession. That allows two No 8 midfielders to push higher up the pitch and join in with attacks. Unsurprisingly, it’s something Chelsea have already trialed out so far in pre-season, with a relative amount of success as well.
Lavia is aggressive in his defensive work with tackling, interceptions and covering the ground. On top of that, he’s a progressive passer of the football, has superb vision, and is comfortable receiving the ball in tight spaces.
There’s competition for places at the base of midfield because perhaps Enzo Fernandez or Moises Caicedo could play that role, but Lavia’s got to be a real contender with his profile as a footballer.
Journalist Phillips claimed via Substack back in June that Maresca considers Lavia as a key player for him.
He can fulfil Eden Hazard prediction
If you rewind nearly a year ago, Chelsea legend Eden Hazard actually gave Lavia’s move to Chelsea his seal of approval. Let’s remember that when looking ahead to what to expect from the next Belgian star.
Speaking via Chelsea’s X account last August, Hazard insisted Lavia will be a success with the Blues.
It’s now time for the all-action midfielder to show just why he’s so highly rated and admired by fellow countryman Hazard.
Manchester City may have let another super talent slip through the net
Lavia has all the tools at his disposal to prove he’s another magnificent youngster that Manchester City have let go out the Etihad Stadium exit doors.
He was previously with Man City between 2020-2022 before being sold to Southampton. It’s in the City academy where he played alongside Cole Palmer.
Many City fans must be cursing the sale of Palmer when you see what he’s achieved in a Chelsea and England shirt in the last year. It’ll be interesting to see once Lavia is flowing at Stamford Bridge if he can make them feel a similar way.
Chelsea don’t have to burn out Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo
When Fernandez and Caicedo were fit last season, they pretty much both started and were heavily relied on in the midfield. Fernandez played 40 games across all competitions before an injury at the end of the season, while Caicedo played 48 matches in his debut year with the Blues.
It shouldn’t be quite as much pressure on the aforementioned duo when you throw a player of Lavia’s quality into the mix.
Chelsea should play a lot of fixtures next season, providing they do well in domestic and European competitions. Therefore, the benefit of having a deep and talented squad will be vital for Maresca if he wishes rotate for freshness.
The ability to rotate the likes of Lavia, Fernandez, Caicedo, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Carney Chukwuemeka in the middle is a luxury.
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