45. Romeo Lavia

[Pizy 18,846]

Romeo retweeted 2 complete rando’s yesterday saying his injury isn’t serious and that he’ll be back very, very soon. Probably first game back from the international break. So I guess he’s trying to calm everyone freaking out about him down.

[Vesper 30,072]

Romeo Lavia set for Chelsea return after recovering from injury – Enzo Maresca

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5799094/2024/09/27/romeo-lavia-Chelsea-injury-return/

Chelsea have been handed a boost as Romeo Lavia is set to return to the squad for Saturday’s match against Brighton & Hove Albion.

Lavia has been ruled out for the last five weeks with a hamstring injury he suffered in training. The 20-year-old made just one substitute appearance last season, after joining for an initial £53million from Southampton, due to a variety of injury issues.

The midfielder was Chelsea’s best player against Manchester City in a 2-0 defeat last month and his only other appearance was as a late substitute against Servette four days later.

“Romeo Lavia is available for tomorrow,” Maresca said. “We have one more session now and then we will decide (how much he can play). The most important thing is that finally he is back.”

Lavia’s presence will increase competition for places and give head coach Enzo Maresca the chance to play him instead of, or alongside, Moises Caicedo.

Caicedo joined Chelsea for a British record fee of £115m from Brighton last year and faces his former club at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League tomorrow.

The 22-year-old came under a lot of negative scrutiny for his performances in the first few months of his Chelsea career, but has been performing at a high level throughout 2024.

GO DEEPER

Chelsea and an unfamiliar feeling of... sheer positivity

Maresca feels Caicedo can still get better but wants him to ignore all the talk about how much he cost.

“He is a top player, he is very good,” Maresca added. “But like all top players he can improve things and for sure he can improve. The way he is playing in this moment is fantastic.

“About the price it is not a Moi (Caicedo) problem, it is the market that decides the price. Most of the time because clubs pay a lot of money for players, we expect that kind of player to always be the best.

“It is not like this. Moi has to enjoy, has to play, work hard but the most important thing is he has to always be happy and enjoy football, to not think about the price because it is not his problem.”

[DH1988 1,346]

Scrolling through the news and saw he left the Belgium camp after the manager confirmed he got injured.

[Vytis33 1,261]

 

[King Kante 1,643]

When he actually plays we have such a better balance in midfield. Against Everton it was pretty much the first time we have had real control in the CM area without being wide open for counter attacks constantly since he last played. Well we were until he went off, as once he went off and Caicedo moved to midfield Everton started playing through us again. 

My hope is that he can just stay fit. If he does he would solve a lot of our defensive issues as the protection he provides also eases the burden on defense. In addition, Caicedo can then solve the RB issue as his engine and knowledge midfield means he inverts really well - although he isn't as great at the late back post runs. However, I always perfer my FB's to defend first and anything offensive wise is a bonus. 

Edited April 28 by King Kante

[nyikolajevics 2,689]

Crazy how good he is, how would he be if he gained actual experience? Not even 700 minutes of football for Chelsea in almost two finished seasons and he never played a game from first to last minute. Last weekend he played his 50th professional game(City, Soton, Chelsea), it's unbelievable.

[King Kante 1,643]

2 hours ago, nyikolajevics said:

Crazy how good he is, how would he be if he gained actual experience? Not even 700 minutes of football for Chelsea in almost two finished seasons and he never played a game from first to last minute. Last weekend he played his 50th professional game(City, Soton, Chelsea), it's unbelievable.

Yep. The only issue with him is fitness. That however it is a major problem as he cannot seem to stay fit. For me, next season is vital. If he can't do 70%+ of a season (including cups) I cannot see how he will be anything other than perma crocked. 

Edited April 28 by King Kante

[LAM09 7,043]

I applaud him for actually taking accountability, especially at his age. A number of players here could learn a lot from him.

Edited May 12 by LAM09

[Vesper 30,072]

Cole Palmer predicts Romeo Lavia will become one of the world’s best midfielders

https://www.thechelseachronicle.com/news/cole-palmer-predicts-Chelsea-star-will-be-one-of-the-worlds-best-in-his-position-everyone-will-realise/

Chelsea star Cole Palmer, 23, is definitely somebody that supporters debate about being one of the best attacking midfielders around after two stellar seasons in West London.

During an interview with Sky Sports Premier League, Palmer predicted that 21-year-old Blues teammate Romeo Lavia will eventually be spoken about as one of the world’s elite midfielders.

He said: “I think he’s one of the best midfielders I’ve played with, to be honest. Everyone’s not seen it because he’s been injured, but obviously I knew him at [Manchester] City, and I think everyone will realise soon. I think he will be one of the best midfielders in the world.

“He’s been injured, so it’s been difficult for him, but in the games he has played this season, you see what difference he’s made. I think when he has a full season playing and staying fit, hopefully, then I think everyone will realise.”