A leading Belgian commentator says Romeo Lavia is the only Belgian footballer currently in the top 30 in the world and is good enough to play for Real Madrid, Barcelona or PSG.
Filip Joos made the claim after Romeo Lavia handled the midfielder in Chelsea’s 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. The Chelsea midfielder has finally put his long injury woes behind him and the plaudits are no longer just coming from England.
Back home, Joos now rates him as Belgium’s best player, and he has gone further than most by placing him in the top five in the world for his position.
How Lavia started the move for the opening goal
The first half with “Manchester United” ended goalless. After the break, Lavia won the ball back in midfield and fed Morgan Rogers about 35 yards from goal. Rodgers beat two United players, Harry Maguire among them, before lifting the ball over Senne Lammens and Cole Palmer added the second.
This intervention was the moment most people chose, but it was only part of the screen. Lavia made passes up the pitch all afternoon and gave Xabi Alonso’s side defensive strength as well. This victory brought “Chelsea” back to the top four.
He could play for Real Madrid, Barcelona or PSG.
Joos was full of it when he spoke to 90 Minutes. “I believe that among our current Belgian players, he is the only one currently in the top 30 in the world.” he said. “In his position, he’s in the top five. To be honest, he could play at Real Madrid, Barcelona or PSG. The ball he plays with the edge of his right boot in the second half is devastating. He sees everything.”
He also made a joke for the razors. “If you’re the boss of Gillette and still using David Beckham for his smooth skin, get off him! You should sign Lavia for his ‘razor sharp’ passes. Every pass is razor sharp.”
Could the Golden Generation win the World Cup?
“If Lavia was born 10-15 years ago, we would have won the World Cup with the Golden Generation” he said. “It was the only position that someone with 10 meters of vision was missing. Lavia has 70 meters of vision. She could see the squirrels in the graveyard by Stamford Bridge.”
Why does Romeo Lavia finally play like this?
Fitness is the obvious answer. Lavia’s time at Stamford Bridge was marred by hamstring, thigh and ankle problems, with more than 500 days out and nearly 80 games missed in total.
Joos believes the mental side is just as important. “A real weight was lifted off his shoulders” he said. “That smile says it all.” He also read something about keeping Lavia in the square: “When they left him on the field, it was the best ovation.”
This ties in with the discussions surrounding Alonso’s midfield. A Blues legend recently claimed that Chelsea should sort out Caicedo and Lavia before chasing a new midfielder in January, and on Saturday there was a strong response from Lavia’s side of the argument. Chelsea’s predicted line-up against Manchester United has revealed the midfield questions Alonso faces before starting.
Verdict: Lavia’s fitness is Chelsea’s best signing
With the world’s best 30 and the Golden Generation, the World Cup is getting away from a commentator, and the Joos half admits it with a squirrelly line. But it’s hard to argue with its basic essence. When Lavia is available, Chelsea play in midfield with a composure that few teams in the league have.
The only question is the one that has followed him since his arrival: can he stay on the field? If he can, there’s no need for Alonso to go shopping for a midfielder in January. He already has one.