Romeo Lavia has vowed to “change the narrative” around his Chelsea career after finally putting his prolonged injury problems behind him.
The Belgian midfielder has started all four of Chelsea’s Premier League matches this season after two years in which fitness problems repeatedly interrupted his progress at Stamford Bridge.
Speaking in an interview with BBC Sport ahead of Friday night’s trip to Brentford, Lavia described the work required to reach a point where he finally feels capable of expressing himself again.
It represents a significant change for a player whose first seasons at Chelsea became defined by rehabilitation rather than football.
📊 Romeo Lavia only made one sprint in the 60 minutes he was on the pitch against Hull City. pic.twitter.com/oAju0iMI6c
— Chelsea Stats (@Chelsea_stat) September 13, 2026
Romeo Lavia determined to change Chelsea narrative
Lavia made only one appearance during his first Chelsea season after suffering a serious hamstring injury.
He then missed another 33 matches during his second campaign as a succession of fitness problems continued to halt his momentum.
The 22-year-old admitted there were periods when repeated setbacks made it easy to consider giving up, but credited his team-mates, Chelsea staff and those around him with helping create an environment in which he could concentrate on his recovery.
“There is so much that goes on behind the scenes,” Lavia said when discussing the process.
His mentality was tested again during Chelsea’s pre-season programme.
Xabi Alonso encouraged Lavia to overcome what the midfielder described as a mental block by completing 90 minutes against AC Milan in August.
Lavia says the experience taught him that he could push his body further than he previously believed.
That confidence has carried into the competitive campaign.
Lavia becoming increasingly important for Xabi Alonso
Lavia has now started Chelsea’s opening four Premier League fixtures and accumulated 281 league minutes.
His availability has become particularly important following Enzo Fernandez’s £125million deadline-day move to Manchester City and Moises Caicedo being restricted to only 14 minutes this season because of a recurring calf problem.
That has handed Lavia significantly more responsibility in Alonso’s midfield.
Rather than viewing that as added pressure, the Belgian sees the opportunity as a privilege after spending so much time unavailable.
Chelsea’s new-look attack has also helped.
Morgan Rogers has made an immediate impact following his club-record £117m arrival from Aston Villa, while Cole Palmer and João Pedro have contributed to an attack that has produced 18 goals across Chelsea’s opening six matches in all competitions.
Lavia joked that Chelsea’s attacking football has occasionally made him wish he could watch from the stands.
For a player who spent so much of his early Chelsea career doing exactly that through injury, the difference now is that he is finally influencing matches himself.
Brentford could bring major Romeo Lavia milestone
Friday’s Premier League meeting with Brentford could provide another important marker in Lavia’s recovery.
If he completes at least 60 minutes at the Gtech Community Stadium, he will surpass his previous best spell of 518 consecutive minutes without suffering an injury, a total which included pre-season fixtures.
Chelsea’s trip to Brentford provides another test for Alonso’s improving side, with kick-off scheduled for 8pm on Friday.
Lavia has already marked his return to regular football with his first Chelsea goal, scoring during the 4-3 victory over Brighton.
“It was just a moment where I felt free,” he said of that breakthrough.
It was also particularly meaningful because Lavia’s first Premier League goal came against Chelsea while playing for Southampton in 2022.
Now the midfielder wants to change the story surrounding his career at Stamford Bridge.
After two seasons dominated by questions over when he would be fit again, Lavia finally has the opportunity to make the discussion about what he can contribute on the pitch.
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