Xabi Alonso: Romeo Lavia is an important player for Chelsea’s midfield stability

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso believes Romeo Lavia has become an important part of the team’s long-term midfield stability, after the Belgian made a more consistent start to the season since joining the club.

Lavia is close to matching his highest number of Premier League appearances in a single season for Chelsea, and recently completed a full match for the first time since joining more than three years ago. His first full appearance came in Chelsea’s League Cup defeat to Liverpool, and he then played the whole league match against Manchester United.

Alonso said Lavia has been performing consistently for around a month, and that the team plays better when the midfield is working well. He added that the player is good on the ball and gives the midfield balance, but needs to keep developing.

Lavia moved from Southampton for £58 million after turning down an offer from Liverpool, but played only 45 minutes in his injury-hit first season. He made 28 league appearances over the following two seasons and did not become a regular starter until Alonso arrived.

Lavia has formed an effective partnership with Moises Caicedo, who was absent during the first two months of the season. Chelsea struggled to control the midfield during his absence and conceded 15 goals in their first seven matches. Lavia is likely to keep his place against Sunderland, with Reece James injured and Jordan Henderson having recently recovered from illness.

Alonso also spoke about being reunited with Sunderland player Granit Xhaka, who was an important part of the Bayer Leverkusen team that won the Bundesliga in 2024. The manager denied that Xhaka had come up with the idea of switching to a back three, while acknowledging that they had spoken a lot during that period, and described him as a key figure in the team.