Published: October 27, 2026 at 1:50 pm
Chelsea and Manchester United are set to renew their Premier League rivalry in a high-stakes clash on October 31, with the Blues eyeing a place in the top four and United looking to climb up the table.
Speaking in an interview shared by JioStar, Chelsea midfielder Romeo Lavia reflected on his development into a key figure for the club, the increased responsibility in midfield following Enzo Fernandez’s departure, and the influence of manager Xabi Alonso.
Romeo Lavia opened about developing into a key midfielder for the club. “It feels special to become a key midfielder for the club after developing into an experienced player, and it feels different because I’m in a different mindset or state of mind. We’ve done a lot of work over the summer, with all the people at the club, to make sure that we could get everything that’s happened before behind me. So far, it’s going well, so I’m very happy and long may it continue.
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“I’ve learned that you can always go further than you think you can. You can always push your limits, especially when you feel like everything is going against you. It’s so easy to just think about giving up or thinking that no matter what you do, it’s always going to go back to the same point where you started. Luckily, with the help of teammates, staff, everyone in the club and people close to me outside, we’ve been able to create a bubble where you just concentrate on what you can control, and then everything will come back to normal,” Lavia said.
Enzo’s departure has given me a prominent role: Lavia
On the change in his role at the club following Enzo Fernandez’s departure, he said: “When a player like Enzo Fernandez leaves the club, it changes things for everyone. He was a big part of this team, and you do not replace that overnight. But in football, when one door closes, another one opens. His departure has given me a more prominent role in the midfield, and it is a role I have been working towards. I have developed a lot as a player over the last year, and I feel ready to take on more responsibility.
“The manager has shown faith in me, and the players around me have helped me settle into this position. I know what is expected of me now. I have to be the one who controls the tempo, link the play, and help the team in both phases of the game. It is a challenge I am really enjoying. I am not here to replace anyone. I am here to do my job for Chelsea and give everything for this badge. The fans want to see commitment, and that is what I will always give them,” he added.
On the attacking trio of Morgan Rogers, Cole Palmer, and Joao Pedro, Lavia said: “Morgan Rogers, the way he’s come into the team and has clicked with Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro up front, sometimes I wish I could go in the stands and enjoy watching them do their goalscoring magic, because it’s just a joy to watch. What people don’t see is how hard they work off the ball as well. They press, they run in behind, and they make it difficult for defenders to settle. That means we win the ball back higher up the pitch, and when we do, they are already in position to hurt the opposition. It makes our job easier as midfielders because we just have to feed them the ball and those three will do the rest. It is not just about the goals. Their work rate sets the tone for the whole team.”
I have a lot of respect for Chelsea manager Alonso: Lavia
On manager Xabi Alonso, he stated: “Xabi Alonso is a manager I have a lot of respect for. The first thing you notice is how clear he is in his ideas. He tells you exactly what he wants from you and what your role is in the team, and that clarity helps everyone. He was a world-class midfielder himself, so when he speaks about the game, you listen. He understands the small details of playing in midfield, the positioning, the timing of the pass, when to press and when to hold. Those little things can make a big difference.
“He demands a lot from us in training, but he also gives us the freedom to express ourselves on the pitch. He wants us to play with confidence and take responsibility. You can see the team is buying into what he wants, and the results are starting to show that. For me personally, it is a privilege to learn from someone like him. He has won trophies as a player and now he wants to do the same as a manager. We all want to be part of that,” he added.
