Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso has praised Romeo Lavia's rapid progress, describing the Belgian midfielder as an increasingly important figure in his team's setup. The Spaniard also stressed that Lavia's potential is far from fully realised.
Alonso believes the 22-year-old Belgian has become a key playmaker in Chelsea's midfield after playing the full 90 minutes in the high-stakes Premier League matches against Liverpool and Manchester United.
The Chelsea manager highlighted the midfielder's consistency over the past month, drawing particular attention to his ability to retain possession under pressure, provide balance between the lines and link the team's play:
“Romeo is in great form at the moment, and it's not just about the last game,” Alonso was quoted as saying by the club's official website.
“He has become incredibly important to the team because in midfield you need a brain not only for your own actions, but also a brain for the whole team.”
At the same time, the Chelsea head coach urged Lavia not to ease off:
“We have to keep pushing him forward. We have to help him take the next step in his development, because his current level is not yet enough.”
