“He’s just wasting our time and resources. I can’t keep on waiting till he produces results. If we don’t get the desired results, we will just have to let him go and get another player that would actually produce results” – Chelsea have lost patience with their £58 million star as Todd Boehly sets his sights on a potential January transfer deal.
Romeo Lavia’s challenging time at Chelsea seems to be heading towards a more difficult phase, as club officials reportedly grow frustrated with the 20-year-old midfielder.
Lavia, who was nearly on his way to Liverpool, ended up at Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2023 for a significant £58 million fee. He had been tipped as a future Premier League star following his standout performances with Southampton, despite the club’s relegation. However, the promise surrounding his arrival at Chelsea has been dimmed by recurring injuries, limiting his opportunities to shine. To date, the Belgian has only managed four appearances in his debut season due to a series of setbacks involving his ankle and thigh.
Lavia’s first start for Chelsea came in August during a tough 2-0 defeat to Manchester City, but the game also marked the reappearance of his injury woes when he picked up a hamstring issue.
Reports now suggest that Chelsea’s co-owner, Todd Boehly, is growing increasingly impatient and is prepared to dip back into the transfer market rather than wait for Lavia to return to full fitness. According to Tuttomercatoweb, Chelsea scouts have already begun scouting potential replacements, with Hellas Verona midfielder Reda Belhayne catching their eye.
Belhayne, like Lavia, is 20 years old and joined Verona from Nice in January. He has been turning heads in Serie A with his impressive performances this season, becoming an essential part of manager Paolo Zanetti’s squad. In a recent 2-0 victory over Venezia, Belhayne was a standout player, and he has since cemented his place in the starting XI.
Though Belhayne is under contract with Hellas Verona until 2028, that might not deter Chelsea from making a move when the transfer window opens in January. The Blues are reportedly encouraged by Belhayne’s admiration for a Chelsea icon—N’Golo Kante. In a statement, Belhayne shared his thoughts on what the number six jersey means to him and how it aligns with his playing style: “The number six represents solid midfielders who win the ball back but also maintain possession. That’s how I see myself.” He also expressed his admiration for Kante, saying, “He’s been my role model since I was a kid. I love his team spirit, and even off the pitch, he’s calm. On the field, though, he’s my inspiration.”
Meanwhile, Chelsea’s current starting holding midfielder, Moises Caicedo, has also been a significant signing for the club. The Ecuadorian was acquired for a whopping £115 million from Brighton, and his presence in the squad justifies the hefty price tag, as he has been anchoring Chelsea’s midfield.
With a packed fixture list that includes Europa Conference League commitments, manager Enzo Maresca has indicated his intent to rotate the squad to manage the workload. This has sparked talk of a potential partnership between Caicedo and Lavia when both are fully fit. Maresca himself expressed excitement at the prospect, saying, “I’m looking forward to having both Moi and Romeo available at 100%. They’re great talents, and I think they can complement each other well in midfield. They can compete for the same spot, but I also see them playing together effectively.”
As the January transfer window approaches, Chelsea’s patience with Lavia may be wearing thin, but the potential for new additions to the squad could shift the dynamic in their midfield. With Belhayne impressing in Italy and already vocal about his admiration for Chelsea, the possibility of seeing him in the Premier League might not be far off. Nevertheless, the club’s plans remain dependent on the recovery and future performances of their current young talent, Romeo Lavia.
