Romeo Lavia has finally kicked out the most obvious statistical aberration of his Stamford Bridge career, playing a full 90 minutes for Chelsea for the first time since his arrival in 2023. The Belgian lasted the full 90 minutes in Saturday’s commanding 3-0 pre-season victory over AC Milan at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta.
The midfielder was barely able to conceal his joy when looking back on the milestone afterwards. Alongside Moises Caicedo, Lavia was imperious, completing 97 per cent of his passes and losing just two deliveries throughout the contest. He also delivered the corner for Caicedo to smash in a delightful volley to add to Joao Pedro’s double against Ruben Amorim’s team.
Speaking to the club’s media team shortly before the squad left for the airport, Lavia said:
“I was very happy to play the 90 minutes and I feel good. The confidence comes from all the work with all the people at the club, who have helped me get into a good position to ensure that I could have a good pre-season…”
Xabi Alonso later confessed his midfielder was suffering from a mental block about playing a full 90 minutes. He admitted he deliberately resisted taking off a visibly tired Lavia and urged him to savour the moment. That stubbornness was justified, as the 22-year-old emerged from the experience utterly tired yet clearly satisfied.
His London career has been hurt by hamstring, thigh, ankle and muscle problems picked up over three gruelling seasons. Lavia has made only 43 appearances since his move from Southampton, and was recently absent with hamstring trouble in the clash against the Western Sydney Wanderers.
Lavia’s Chelsea Renaissance Dwarfed by Monaco’s £25m Bid
Ligue 1 side Monaco have been preparing a £25 million offer for the midfielder. The Monegasques, it is said, believe that to be a fair price given the Belgian’s chastening fitness record and they see him coming in for departing Lamine Camara.
Chelsea are not happy to sanction a departure, not for sporting reasons, but because of the uncomfortable accounting situation they find themselves in. The Blues paid a fee reported to be between £53 million and £58 million in 2023, and as a result, they would not be pleased to sell him at such a loss.
Letting Lavia go for £25 million would make it difficult for the club to meet its profit and sustainability obligations. Lavia’s deal runs to 2030, so there’s no obligation in the hierarchy to even consider a cut-price sale.
With Enzo Fernandez’s future still shrouded in ambiguity, a fit Lavia is an essential insurance policy within Alonso’s engine room. Chelsea finish their Asian tour against Johor Darul Ta’zim before a 15-day break ahead of their Premier League opener at Fulham.