Xabi Alonso was massively impressed with Romeo Lavia's performance for Chelsea in their 2-0 victory over Manchester United on Saturday afternoon
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Chelsea celebrate Romeo Lavia's goal against Brighton(Image: Vince Mignott/MB Media)
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Xabi Alonso was left purring at a masterclass in midfield from Romeo Lavia in Chelsea's 2-0 win over Manchester United on Saturday afternoon.
Going into the game, the Belgian had enjoyed an impressive start to the season, where he has, crucially, stayed fit and available, but his display at Stamford Bridge over the weekend was his best of the campaign to date. It was arguably his best performance since moving to west London more than three years ago.
Alonso loved what he saw from Lavia: "He knew [he was going to start] in the right moment, but he knew yesterday. From a midfielder point of view, for me it has been a top, top performance.
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"He's done so many things right, he's been always connecting the defence with the attacking players, he's been able to switch the game, he's taken many right decisions, he's been very dynamic, competitive.
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"So I think that not just this game, for the last two, three weeks he's been playing at a very good level and I'm very happy for him and today he deserves huge recognition for his performance."
Alonso's right. There has been a clear improvement from Lavia in the first couple of months of the 2026/27 season - a lot of that is to do with his physical level, with the midfielder looking in excellent condition.
That is undoubtedly a boost to Chelsea and Alonso. After the Blues failed to sign Lamine Camara, despite agreeing a deal with AS Monaco, in the latter stages of the summer transfer window, there was uproar from a lot of supporters online. Especially after Chelsea sanctioned an exit for Enzo Fernandez.
Enzo Fernandez
Enzo Fernandez left Chelsea to sign for Manchester City on transfer deadline day(Image: Dave Howarth - CameraSport)
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It left Chelsea short in the midfield department but over the last few weeks, Lavia has stepped up. Jordan Henderson, likewise. All of the sudden, Chelsea don't look as light in the engine room, but that shouldn't deter the Blues once the January transfer window is open.
Since the closure of the summer transfer window, Stamford Bridge insiders have highlighted the possibility of Chelsea re-entering the midfield market when January comes around. That should still be the plan, regardless of Lavia's upturn in form.
Alex Scott looks to be Chelsea's primary target when the mid-season transfer window officially opens. Bournemouth kept hold of the 23-year-old midfielder over the summer, despite a £64million offer from Chelsea, with Marco Rose desperate to keep the England international in his squad for the head coach's debut season in the Premier League.
They managed to do that but the Cherries could look to flog Scott in January. Scott has just over 18 months remaining on his contract at the Vitality Stadium and while Bournemouth are keen to tie him down to a new deal, there is an acceptance that the big guns might come calling again at the start of 2027.
Alex Scott celebrates
Chelsea want to sign Alex Scott from Bournemouth(Image: Mark Leech/Offside)
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Sources close to the situation say Bournemouth are open to selling Scott, who they signed from Bristol City for £25m in 2023, midway through the season if they receive an offer in the region of £100m.
Another condition will be where the Cherries find themselves in the Premier League table. Rose's side suffered an awful start to the league season but have won their last six matches in all competitions - without conceding a single goal. Their last defeat came on October 10, where Chelsea, incidentally, put them to the sword at Stamford Bridge.
So in that regard, Bournemouth should feel okay with selling Scott, bar a drastic turn of events on the pitch.
Regardless of this new-look Lavia and Henderson proving in recent weeks he can still compete at the highest level, Chelsea should be looking to add another midfielder in the January transfer window. Whether that's Scott, or someone else if the Blues can't justify spending around £100m, business needs to be done.
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