Romeo Lavia received glowing reviews in Belgium following his Nations League match against France. The Chelsea midfielder made his first start for the national team and delivered a strong performance despite a 0-1 loss.
The 22-year-old operated in central midfield alongside Youri Tielemans, making five tackles and ending the match with a 100% pass accuracy.
The Belgian publication Het Belang van Limburg awarded him 8 out of 10, noting:
Magnificent debut in the starting lineup. He combines technical skill with strength in duels and can slice through the opposition lines with a single accurate pass — a massive advantage.
If he stays fit, who could displace him from the team?
Analyst Justien Oders labelled Lavia the standout player of the match:
Moving to the best player of the evening. Just as Mika Godts was against Italy, Romeo Lavia was against France.
A revelation, a true awakening. Expectations were high, but he managed to surpass them.
Oders particularly highlighted Lavia's ball control and his interplay with Kevin De Bruyne:
The way he controlled the midfield, dispossessing opponents and then returning the ball into play with stunning accuracy was impressive.
Lavia possesses everything a good holding midfielder needs, plus excellent technique and a wealth of creativity.
If he can stay healthy, this position in the national team is secured for the next decade.
Sport editor Christophe Liberloo also commended the midfielder's bold play, noting that Lavia completed 22 passes before half-time without a single error.
For the midfielder, gaining consistent playing time is especially important after enduring a tough few seasons, during which he missed a staggering 631 days due to injuries. This season, Lavia has already started four times for Chelsea.
