Romeo Lavia eyes a fresh start at Chelsea FC
In a candid interview at the Ritz-Carlton in Charlotte, North Carolina, Romeo Lavia opened up about his turbulent start at Chelsea and his aspirations for the new season.
The 20-year-old midfielder, who arrived at Stamford Bridge from Southampton for £53 million, is determined to make the most of what he describes as his “first proper season” with the club.
Lavia’s debut season at Chelsea was marred by injuries that prevented him from making the impact he had hoped for. He suffered an ankle injury shortly after his arrival and faced further setbacks with a thigh problem that cut short his return to action in December.
Reflecting on these challenges, Lavia says as the Mail reported: “Dream season is not to miss any games. That’s it.” Despite these hurdles, he remains optimistic and is looking forward to the new season with renewed focus.
The young Belgian was the only Chelsea player to start all six of their pre-season friendlies, showcasing his reliability and skill as a deep-lying midfielder. His performances have earned him praise from both fans and teammates, as he prepares for Chelsea’s upcoming Premier League clash against his former club, Manchester City.
“This will be my first proper season,” Lavia says with resolve. “It was hard. You’re young. You want to play. You’re getting to know your body, which is sometimes unfair because you feel like you’re doing everything right to get back but nature sometimes decides in a different way. I wouldn’t blame anything.”
Lavia's journey to Chelsea has been a testament to his resilience. He moved to England during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time of uncertainty and adjustment. “I left my home country to move to England during COVID. My mum never watched a game of me at City,” he recalls. Despite these personal sacrifices, Lavia maintains a positive outlook.
“But I never really complained because I knew what I was getting into. The same in every decision I’ve made. It’s never been a problem. Even with the injuries last season, it was tough but what can you do? Turn it into a positive.”
His past at Manchester City, where he trained under Pep Guardiola and was subsequently sold to Southampton for £10.5 million in July 2022, is also a significant part of his story. Chelsea’s interest in Lavia was evident when they made a deadline-day bid for him, and although it was unsuccessful, it underscored their long-standing admiration for his talent.
When Chelsea finally secured his services in August 2023, Lavia had the choice to join Liverpool as well. He explains, “When I heard about Chelsea and it was from a long time ago before everything started, it was a no-brainer. The interest from Liverpool was there but in my head, I wanted to play for Chelsea.” Lavia’s decision was driven by his belief in Chelsea’s potential and the chance to be part of a young, promising squad.
As he prepares for his first full season with Chelsea, Lavia remains grounded and focused. He is aware of the pressures and expectations that come with playing in the Premier League but is determined to stay true to his capabilities.
“I’m not a striker but if you score a hat-trick, you’re happy about it the whole week,” he says. “But you have to score in the next one. It’s the same in my position. You cannot be complacent and think you’re there yet because in the next game, it could just catch up to you. The Premier League is rough.”
Lavia's performances at Southampton, where he was highly regarded and influential, have set the stage for what he hopes will be a breakout season with Chelsea. With a renewed focus and determination, Romeo Lavia is ready to turn the page and embrace the challenges and opportunities of his “first proper season” with the Blues.
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