Obviously, Roméo Lavia to Chelsea is inevitable, as the 19-year-old Belgian chose to join the West London club. The Blues have been making waves this summer during the transfer window.
Chelsea recently confirmed the signing of Moisés Caicedo from Brighton Albion. They signed the Ecuadorian youngster for a fee of £115 million, making him the most expensive signing in the league.
According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, Roméo Lavia has chosen to join Chelsea from Southampton. The Belgium international literally rejected the Reds family, joining the Blues.
Liverpool had almost 4 bids rejected by Southampton for the 19-year-old Belgian. Jurgen Klopp’s side wants him at Anfield at all costs this summer transfer window, in the 2023-2024 campaign.
Frankly, both Moisés Caicedo and Roméo Lavia rejected the Reds offer to join the West London club. Of course, that doesn’t obviously look good on the Premier League side this season.
Nevertheless, Roméo Lavia to Chelsea will happen for a fee of £53M plus £5M in add-ons. And personal terms aren’t expected to be a problem between the club and the player.
Surprisingly, the 19-year-old Belgian has already agreed personal terms with Liverpool. He was hell-bent on joining the Reds, before the Blues came into the picture.
Chelsea and Southampton reportedly have good relations. As a result, the Belgian youngster will definitely arrive at Stamford Bridge this summer transfer window.
Unbelievably, Liverpool had an agreement with the Saints. However, Lavia chose to join Mauricio Pochettino’s side, wanting to be part of the midfield rebuild at Stamford Bridge.
Meanwhile, Manchester City buy-back clause on Lavia will no longer exist. The clause was valid only until 2024, if he’s still at Southampton. But he will be joining the Blues family soon.
However, the Citizens will get more than £10 million for Roméo Lavia to Chelsea. They reportedly have a sell-on clause on him, having been one of the interesting youngsters in Europe’s top-5 leagues.
Since Mauricio Pochettino is enamored with the 4-2-3-1 formation. It’s still iffy how he’s going to play Enzo, Moisés and Lavia in the midfield at Chelsea in the 2023-2024 campaign.
Regardless, Lesley Ugochukwu is most likely to join Strasbourg on loan in Ligue 1. While Andrey Santos stays with the first-team, playing as a backup for Enzo Fernández or Moisés Caicedo.
Roméo Lavia stats for Southampton in 2022-2023 (Premier League)
29 appearances (26 starts)
0.4 shots per 90
47.7 touches per 90
0.6 key passes per 90
86% pass accuracy
1.1 interceptions per 90
2.1 tackles per 90
0.8 clearances per 90
1.1 dribbled past per 90
1.0 (68%) dribble success
4.7 (57%) ground duels won
0.3 (44%) aerial duels won
4.9 (56%) total duels won
At the age of 19, the Belgian youngster has already established himself in the Premier League. That’s another reason why he won’t flop at the West London club.
Mauricio Pochettino keeps signing proven Premier League players. Because he knows that they understand the league very well, the likes of Moisés Caicedo and the rest in the rebuild.
Despite being 19-year-old, Lavia was part of Southampton’s starting XI last season. And he literally played all the games in all competitions for the Saints in 2022-2023.
Of course, it’s been confirmed that Mauricio Pochettino plans to partner Enzo Fernández with Moisés. Nevertheless, Roméo will give the team more legs in the midfield, defensively.
It’s believed that the Argentine gaffer personally phoned the 19-year-old. He wants him at Stamford Bridge at all, explaining why the player chose Chelsea over Liverpool this summer transfer window.
Of course, the Blues almost signed Lavia last summer. Their £50 million offer was rejected by Southampton on deadline day. Which means the club has been keeping tabs on him since last campaign.
Surprisingly, Roméo Lavia reportedly asked Eden Hazard about joining Chelsea. Also, The Belgian youngster recently had a dinner with his friends in London, ready to join the Blues family.
Who is Roméo Lavia?
The 19-year-old defensive midfielder was born in Belgium, but he’s of Ghanaian descent. Even though he’s playing for the Belgian national team.
However, the player started as a street footballer, starting his career at S.C. Woluwe. His ability attracted many professional clubs during that time.
The Belgian youngster joined the Anderlecht academy in 2012. Of course, he made headlines, showing off his defensive and ball-playing skills as a defensive midfielder.
As a result, Manchester City got his signature from Anderlecht in 2020. It was said that Pep Guardiola noticed Lavia during a local international tournament.
It was said that Kevin De Bruyne invited the Spanish gaffer to the local competition in Belgium. The tournament was reportedly named the KDB Cup.
Roméo joined the Citizens academy, where he dazzled impressively. He won the Premier League 2 with the youth, winning the Player of the Season award for the club.
At the age of 17, Lavia made his first-team debut in September 2021. He participated in the Cabarao Cup for Manchester City. However, the player left the Citizens in 2022.
Therefore, the 19-year-old Belgian joined Southampton on a 5-year contract. Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola’s side were bent on inserting a but-back clause in the deal.
Roméo Lavia to Chelsea: What are his strengths and weaknesses?
Apparently, the West London club are building a midfield dynasty. The 19-year-old Belgian is the last piece of their midfield rebuild, despite not playing in European competition this season.
Well, speaking of Roméo Lavia’s strengths. Versatility is one of the player’s biggest skills, which means he is capable of giving enough depth in the midfield.
The Belgian youngster can play as a defensive midfielder, shielding the defense line. Also, he can comfortably play as a box-to-box midfielder, helping the team offensively and defensively.
Physicality; despite being just 19-year-old. Lavia usually puts his athleticism on the ball, and as a result, he’s not easily pushed off the ball, particularly in the midfield.
Of course, the player grew up at Manchester City, under Pep Guardiola. As a result, he knows how to shield himself on the ball against the opponent’s player.
Ball control and passing; despite being a defensive midfielder. Roméo is a good passer, usually makes line-breaking passes, dictating the team’s tempo.
His ball-control ability allows him to distribute the ball effectively on the pitch. He knows when to receive the ball, and release it, particularly under pressure.
The 19-year-old Belgian plays comfortably under pressure. Of course, he can single-handedly handle the midfield defensively, regardless of the opponent’s pressure.
Defensive awareness and contribution; obviously, the Belgian youngster is a defensive midfielder. Therefore, he’s sound defensively, making tackles and interceptions on the pitch.
As regards his defensive awareness, Lavia’s primary strength is his ability to read the game. As a result, he knows when to make important tackles and interceptions.
Just like Manchester United target, Sofyan Amrabat. The 19-year-old DM defensively covers a lot of ground in the midfield. He usually shields the defense line, interacting with the centre-backs.
His offensiveness; despite being a defensive midfielder. The 19-year-old Belgian usually contributes to the team’s attacking output, because of his ability to move the ball forward.
Roméo is kind of a ball-playing DM. As a result, he has the ability to progress the ball forward, creating chances and making key passes on the pitch.
Dribbling; the Belgian youngster is a good dribbler. Even though he plays as a defensive midfielder. His ability to get past opponents is actually amazing.
Obviously, he averaged 1.0 dribbles per 90 minutes last season, with a 68% success. Lavia usually uses his dribbling prowess to help the team’s attack.
Weaknesses
Of course, Roméo Lavia is just 19-year-old. As a result, he doesn’t actually have any significant limitations as a defensive midfielder, despite his age.
His statistics at Southampton in the Premier League were kind of flawless. Therefore, at the age of 19, he ticks all the boxes as a DM, considering his defensive prowess.
However, Lavia is poor at aerial dueling. Statistically speaking, he averaged 0.3 aerial duels won in the Premier League last season for the Saints, with 44% success.
Despite the fact that the Belgian youngster grew up under Pep Guardiola. Aerial dueling is his biggest weakness, he’s bad at fighting for the ball in the air.
Frankly, as a defensive midfielder. Roméo needs to be dominant in the air. Regardless, he’s most likely to improve at Chelsea, having agreed to a 7-year contract.
What is Roméo Lavia’s style of play?
Surprisingly, the 19-year-old Belgian likes to shoot from distance, despite being a defensive midfielder. He loves to play shots, showing his goal-scoring skills.
Even though he usually shields the defense line. Roméo likes to dribble, putting his ball-carrying and ball-control abilities into action on the pitch.
Lavia likes to play with a high level of intensity. As a result, he makes it easy for himself to dictate the team’s tempo, particularly from the midfield as a No.6.
Because of his ability to play comfortably under pressure. He likes to play in tight areas, which means the Belgian can make a way for himself against more than one opponent’s players.
Roméo Lavia to Chelsea will definitely boost the team’s performance in the midfield. Which means Mauricio Pochettino’s troops may go far in the Premier League this season.
The 19-year-old Belgian has many things in common with Sergio Busquets. He likes to make tackles, interceptions, and blocks the ball with many clearances on the pitch.
Lavia loves to switch roles in the midfield. Despite playing as a defensive midfielder, he normally switches to No.8, making line-breaking passes, and key passes.
Roméo always puts his athleticism and physicality on display. When playing against top midfielders in the Premier League, shielding himself on the ball defensively.
Amazingly, the 19-year-old Belgian loves to read the game. He actually does that before making tackles and interceptions, in order not to commit fouls against the opposition.
As a result of his defensive awareness. He’s always ahead of the opponent’s players, reading the midfield. In all fairness, his style of play fits into Mauricio Pochettino’s tactics.