"I think he's incredible" - Tim Sherwood waxes lyrical about 'top class' Chelsea star
Football pundit Tim Sherwood has lavished praise on Chelsea star Romeo Lavia for his recent performances. He hailed the Belgium international's vision on the pitch.
The Blues secured Lavia's services last year in a deal worth £58 million from Southampton. The young midfielder's debut season at Stamford Bridge went awry as he struggled to remain fit.
Lavia registered just 32 minutes in only one appearance for the west Londoners in the Premier League last season, suffering from ankle and hamstring injuries. He returned to action at the start of the current campaign, starting Chelsea's opening loss to Manchester City.
However, he was sidelined once again after his hamstring issues resurfaced. Lavia returned against Brighton & Hove Albion at the end of last month and has now made back-to-back starts for the first time in his Chelsea career.
He impressed in his displays against Liverpool and Newcastle United, providing the winning assist against the latter. Tim Sherwood has waxed lyrical about the 20-year-old star, backing him to develop into an elite-level midfielder.
The former Blackburn Rovers captain, who won the Premier League in 1995, said on the Seaman Says podcast (as quoted by The Chelsea Chronicle):
“Lavia for me is going to be top drawer. Top, top class midfield player. I think he’s incredible. Every time he gets the ball he just looks to see where Cole [Palmer] is.”
The Blues will next face Newcastle United in the EFL Cup on Wednesday (October 30).
"It’s not been how I was expecting" - Chelsea star Romeo Lavia opens up about injury issues last season
Romeo Lavia has opened up about his injury-plagued last term. The Belgian admitted that he did not have the start he expected for his career at Stamford Bridge.
However, despite a frustrating debut season, the 20-year-old is satisfied with his life in west London and the support he's received since his arrival at the club. Lavia said (per the club's official website):
"That whole year, it’s not been how I was expecting it to be. but I’m just happy because, without thinking about it, I’ve been at the club for a year so I know more about the culture, I know more about my team-mates, I know about everyone at the club."
He added:
"So I feel much better going onto the pitch now because I have this confidence that I have people I trust around me, people that I enjoy being with, and that all just makes it easier."
Chelsea are sat fifth in the Premier League table, having recorded five wins, two draws, and two losses this term. Enzo Maresca's side are a point behind fourth-placed Aston Villa.