ROMEO LAVIA left Southampton with bags of potential and returns having realised it in rapid time.
The Belgian, and Chelsea, may have had to wait a year due to injury but now he is fit there is no question that the youngster is firing.
In just eight Premier League appearances for the Blues this season, there are few in west London who are in doubt about just how far their new midfield metronome could go.
Everyone at Southampton, who signed the midfielder from Manchester City in 2022, knew they had a talent on their hands who may not be around long.
In fact, if Chelsea had got their way he would only have been at St. Mary’s for a matter of weeks – with the Blues seeing a £50million bid rejected less than three months after he had joined Saints.
They got their man a year later and, after another season of injury frustration during which Lavia managed just 32 minutes of football, are now reaping the rewards.
Chelsea’s £206m midfield duo of Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez drastically under-performed last season, looking lost at times.
But the introduction of Lavia, and his ability to stay fit, has settled them and provided the platform for both to shine.
Initially Fernandez was forced out of the side in favour of Lavia but has returned in recent weeks and has two goals in as many games.
All three of Lavia, Caicedo and Fernandez started together as Chelsea swept Aston Villa aside on Sunday, though Enzo Maresca had dropped the 20-year-old for the game at Leicester beforehand.
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A challenge to show there is still more to come.
He said: “I trust him for sure, but he didn’t play at Leicester away, so two games ago he was on the bench.
“I said then just because he was on the bench it doesn’t mean he is not doing well, it was because the game plan changed for that game. We are completely happy about Romeo.
“Romeo is doing very good with us but because I know him very well he can do much better.
“He is a top player but he is only 20 and still has to improve on many things.”
Lavia outstrips both of his teammates when it comes to passing accuracy, including in the opposition half, and interceptions.
The former Man City man has always considered himself best as a holding midfielder and that solid foundation gives any partner alongside him the confidence to push on.
Teammates at Southampton quickly realised that, despite being 18, Lavia’s vision and understanding of the game matched up to those with hundreds of Premier League appearances.
Senior figures training alongside him noted how eager he was to learn, looking to pick the brains of anyone he could borrow from.
And that is some cast list for such a short career, starting with Pep Guardiola, Kevin de Bruyne and Rodri in Manchester, where he also first met Maresca working in the academy.
The talent has always been there, but being able to display it had been a challenge until now.
As well as playing in a relegation side at Southampton, injury problems were a constant on the south coast.
Theo Walcott, who played alongside him, revealed after his move to Chelsea that he “trained too much” for a young player, while Lavia has admitted that it took him time to understand his body.
Speaking to SunSport in the summer, Lavia said: “You’re young and you want to play.
“You’re getting to know your body as well, which is sometimes unfair because you feel like you’re doing everything right to get back but nature sometimes decides in a different way.
“It was just about understanding that and growing as a person. It was frustrating but it was more in the head, and now it has helped me.”
During that time Lavia leaned on compatriot and Chelsea great Eden Hazard for advice, while also trying to stay as close and connected to his new teammates at their Cobham training base even though he could not join in the sessions.
For someone who sees themselves as a leader within any group, it was a challenging year but one which, undoubtedly, will have long term benefits.
CHELSEA moved to joint-second in the Premier League table with a resounding 3-0 win over Aston Villa.
Goals from Nicolas Jackson, Enzo Fernandez and Cole Palmer saw the Blues make light work of their opponents at Stamford Bridge.
Here, SunSport’s Katherine Walsh delivers her Chelsea player ratings…
Robert Sanchez – 6
Kept Ollie Watkins at bay on two occasions in the first-half, which was welcome after questions were raised over his place as first-choice goalkeeper.
Moises Caicedo – 6
Rare start from right-back in the absence of Reece James, but was solid in an inverted role as Chelsea grew in confidence.
Steps into challenges nicely at just the right time, and is becoming a dependable figure for the Blues.
Wesley Fofana – 4
Some uncomfortable moments for Fofana amid his battles with Watkins.
Was subbed off inside the hour mark after seemingly twisting his ankle as he treaded on the ball while tussling the Villa frontman.
Levi Colwill – 6
Would have been lower before he cleared Ross Barkley’s blistering header over the bar from a corner.
Went down easy when defending Watkins in the second-half, could’ve cost his side some chances against better opposition.
Marc Cucurella – 7
Chelsea’s most creative full-back won the ball high-up to set up Jackon’s opener.
Put the defensive work in aswell after having Jaden Philogene’s number the whole game.
Romeo Lavia – 6
Another impressive midfield performance from the Belgian, who shows prowess beyond his years on and off the ball.
Seems the perfect pivot partner for Fernandez when Caicedo isn’t in the middle, and people need to start talking about how Manchester City let him go for peanuts.
Enzo Fernandez (c) – 7
His best goal in a Chelsea shirt this calender year with a slick volley past his Argentina team-mate Emi Martinez from the edge of the box.
The Chelsea captain set himself up after playing a lovely one-two with Palmer and was involved creatively throughout.
Pedro Neto – 6
Didn’t get on the ball enough compared to his fellow forward team-mates.
Lovely drop of the shoulder after Fofana was subbed off but a pretty quiet afternoon in comparison to Chelsea’s other attackers.
Cole Palmer – 8
Out of form? Nonsense. He’d been on the edges of it at times. But made one and scored an absolute screamer. You cannot keep a good man down.
Only Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has netted 30 goals at Stamford Bridge in fewer games.
Linked up well with Sancho and Fernandez and assisted the Argentine’s volley. The England star was a constant threat while charging at Robin Olsen’s goal in the second-half.
Jadon Sancho – 6
Full of confidence and a constant threat in a high wing-back role this afternoon.
Could’ve won his side a penalty but stayed on his feet inside 30 minutes.
Still not quite there in the final third, though, as he was replaced by Madueke midway through the second half.
Nicolas Jackson – 7
A poacher’s finish opened the scoring inside seven minutes – his eighth in the league this season.
A wonderful goal saw him get his foot round to volley in off the post with his weaker peg after Cucurella’s cross awkwardly deflected off Matty Cash.
Tangled with Martinez, who was replaced by Olsen at half-time.
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Benoit Badiashile (60’ for Fofana) – 6
Nothing too dramatic from the towering centre-back after replacing the injured Fofana.
Noni Madueke (70’ for Sancho) – 4
Booked for simulation in the final five minutes. Unnecessary.
Christopher Nkunku (70′ for Jackson) – 5
Great cross for what should’ve been Chelsea’s third as Palmer and Madueke got mixed up in the 77th minute.
Joao Felix – (86′ for Palmer) – 3
Missed a sitter at the death after Madueke’s shot was kept out. Also booked within three minutes of coming on for a lunge on Tielemans.
