Romeo Lavia is seen as a player who could rise to the level of the best midfielders in the world, with the potential to one day contend for the Ballon d'Or. That's the opinion of former Gent and Anderlecht manager Hein Vanhaezebrouck, who particularly praised the Chelsea midfielder's technique and reliability on the ball.
Lavia's career at Stamford Bridge got off to a rocky start due to persistent injuries. Since his move from Southampton in 2023, the Belgian has suffered 11 injuries, missing a staggering total of 624 days.
However, he managed to clock up 2144 minutes across 48 matches last season, and he has already featured five times this campaign. With improved physical fitness, Lavia has cemented his place in the Belgium national team.
Vanhaezebrouck stated:
Anyone with a Premier League subscription already knows: Lavia is phenomenal. He’s one of the best midfielders in the world, provided he stays fit.
The Belgian coach even drew comparisons between Lavia's qualities and those of Rodri.
He added:
Rodri is often mentioned as a player who sets the tempo, rarely loses the ball, and always aims to play forward. Can Lavia reach that level?
According to Vanhaezebrouck, the 22-year-old possesses all the attributes needed to compete for the biggest individual awards in the future.
He continued:
If he remains healthy, he will reach that level. He has everything: brilliant ball control, rarely loses possession, and his low centre of gravity allows him to evade pressure brilliantly.
Every time he plays, the reaction is the same – ‘wow’.
The main concern for Lavia remains his health. Injuries have thus far hindered his ability to showcase his full potential consistently over the long haul.
Nonetheless, Lavia is starting to carve out a more significant role at Chelsea. If his fitness issues are behind him, this season could serve as his first true opportunity to establish himself among the Premier League's leading midfielders.
