Chelsea’s £58m midfielder Romeo Lavia dazzles on Belgium debut

Chelsea midfielder Romeo Lavia, signed for £58 million from Southampton in the summer of 2023, earned plaudits from Belgian media after his first start for Belgium against France in the UEFA Nations League on Monday evening. The 22‑year‑old impressed with a flawless passing record and tenacious tackling, prompting manager Xabi Alonso to praise his development.

Transfer background and early impact

Lavia arrived at Chelsea after a £58 million deal that saw the Southampton prodigy move to the London club in 2023. Since joining, he has featured in four matches for Chelsea, earning his first international start under Mark van Bommel’s guidance. His progression has been closely monitored by Xabi Alonso, who sees the midfielder as a key component of the club’s future.

Match result and Lavia’s role

France secured a 1‑0 victory in the UEFA Nations League League A Group 1 encounter at Stade Roi Baudouin, with Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise scoring the decisive goal in the 88th minute. Lavia partnered Manchester United midfielder Youri Tielemans in central midfield, where he recorded five tackles, committed a single foul and achieved a 100 percent passing accuracy.

The Belgian press lauded his performance, with Het Belang van Limburg awarding Lavia an 8‑out‑of‑10 rating. The outlet wrote: “Charmed on his starting debut. Combined technical brilliance with strength in duels. Capable of breaking through the lines with a single well‑placed pass – a huge asset.”

Belgium and France clash at Stade Roi Baudouin, goalkeepers shine

HBVL football analyst Justien Odeurs called Lavia “a discovery, a revelation” and noted that “expectations were sky‑high, yet he managed to surpass them.” She praised his ability to dominate the midfield, recover balls and recycle possession with “razor‑sharp precision”, adding that his blend of defensive grit and silky technique makes him a rare talent.

Sports Editor Kristof Liberloo highlighted Lavia’s resilience after three seasons totalling 631 days on the injury list. He observed that the midfielder “has already started four times for the Londoners and was therefore given his first starting spot by Mark van Bommel.” Liberloo praised Lavia’s forward‑thinking passes, citing a deep ball to Castagne that created a chance for De Ketelaere, and stressed that the 22‑year‑old “did not give away a single bad ball before half‑time; every one of the 22 passes reached its target.”

France make nine changes, Belgium limit the turnover

If Lavia remains fit, Liberloo believes van Bommel has found his permanent number six for Belgium, while Chelsea can count on a player who combines defensive solidity with creative flair for the next decade.