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ROMEO LAVIA insisted that this Chelsea team is made up of ‘winners’ after their opening day defeat to Manchester City.
Signed from Southampton for £50m, he was one of the Blues’ star performers throughout pre-season and again on Sunday against the club from which he earned his move to The Saints.
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Lavia was pleased with his own performance, and pleaded for ‘patience’ from the Chelsea fans despite also noting that the Blues have a point to prove this season.
The Belgian star, 20, said: “I’m very happy to be back with the guys and have my first start in the Prem for this amazing club.
“It’s nice to hear that they (the fans) liked my performance, it’s mixed feelings because we didn’t get the win so I won’t get carried away too much – I’m not as pleased as maybe if we won.
“The whole team is on the same page, from day one we knew that it’s a process and we can be happy that we managed to do something very good things against the best team in the world at the moment.”
Lavia is one of many young players that Todd Boehly and BlueCo have bought in with their unique transfer policy, and the average age of Chelsea’s team against Manchester City was just 23.
Lavia, who lasted 67 minute before being replaced by Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, insisted that patience is a virtue when it comes to this team, but also they are good enough to win now.
He added: “Patience yes, but we are young but very motivated players and winners.
“You can talk about patience but we are competitors and we want to win. We want to show everyone that we can turn it around and get the results.”
And he then revealed what the message being drilled home by new boss Maresca is.
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“His main message was that we want to win,” added Lavia.
“Obviously he knows that it’s going to take time, he told us that, but at the same time we need to get the results because we’re good enough.
“It’s up to us now to do the job.”
All eyes were on the young stars at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, as they boast some of the most talented and valuable players in the Premier League.
But it didn’t exactly go to plan as goals from Erling Haaland and ex-Blue Mateo Kovacic gave City a comfortable 2-0 win.
The ranks were added to last week with the signing of Pedro Neto from Wolves for £60m.
Neto made his debut for The Blues against Manchester City, and has already impressed the side in training according to young Lavia:
“He’s integrated very well and we’re happy to have him so it’s just about showing what he can do even though he’s already showed it in training. We’re pleased to have him.”
Chelsea play Neto’s former club Wolves in their next league fixture…
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Harry Redknapp’s 2024/25 season predictions
TOP FOUR
ARSENAL, MANCHESTER CITY, LIVERPOOL and TOTTENHAM — and I’ve got a really strong feeling for Arsenal this season. A few of Man City’s star players are getting a bit older. There’s been nothing between the two teams over the past two years.
RELEGATION
EVERTON (18th), SOUTHAMPTON (19th), LEICESTER (20th) — I like Sean Dyche and Everton are a great club with brilliant, knowledgeable fans. They’re just badly run. They need to go down to rebuild to come back again. But the key is new owners.
TOP SCORER
ERLING HAALAND — I can’t see anyone taking his crown off him. He’s a goal machine, isn’t he? If I can get him at evens, I might lump on!
MOST ASSISTS
MARTIN ODEGAARD — He’ll be the catalyst for Arsenal’s surge to the title. I can see it now. He’s a superb player and he makes it look so easy.
CARABAO CUP
TOTTENHAM — Ange Postecoglou will break Spurs’ trophy curse. Most big teams will mess about with this trophy, but Tottenham will go full steam.
FA CUP
LIVERPOOL — I fancy Arne Slot to stamp his mark on English football quickly and there’s few better ways to do it than lifting this famous old trophy.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
REAL MADRID — Carlo Ancelotti is bullish about their chances. He has said that with Kylian Mbappe, it’s the best team they’ve had for a long time.
EUROPA LEAGUE
MANCHESTER UNITED — Clubs seem to have stopped sneering at this competition. And Spurs and United should be going both barrels for it.
CONFERENCE LEAGUE
CHELSEA — The Luxembourg champions could be dangerous! Joking aside, the Blues must win it.
