Romeo Lavia backed for Ballon d’Or level if Chelsea star stays injury free

Chelsea midfielder Romeo Lavia has been backed to reach Ballon d’Or level if he can finally put his long-running injury problems behind him.

Former Anderlecht and KAA Gent manager Hein Vanhaezebrouck has described the 22-year-old as a “phenomenon” and believes Chelsea could have one of the world's best midfielders on their hands.

Lavia has endured a difficult fitness record since joining Chelsea from Southampton in 2023, suffering 11 reported setbacks and missing 624 days through injury.

This season has provided more encouragement. Lavia has remained injury free, impressed under Xabi Alonso and returned to the Belgium set-up following the appointment of Mark van Bommel.

Lavia featured in all four of Belgium's recent UEFA Nations League matches as they recorded two victories and two defeats.

Analysing those performances for Het Nieuwsblad, Vanhaezebrouck identified Lavia and Dodi Lukebakio as Belgium's standout performers.

“Two players stood out,” he said. “One who was also an immediate starter under Domenico Tedesco: Dodi Lukebakio. For me, he is the man of this break, along with Roméo Lavia.”

Vanhaezebrouck was already familiar with Lavia's potential from their time at Anderlecht, where the midfielder was part of the academy before eventually leaving for Manchester City.

“Anyone with a Premier League subscription already knew it: Lavia is a phenomenon,” Vanhaezebrouck added. “One of the best midfielders in the world, provided he stays fit.”

Lavia's ability to control matches has prompted Vanhaezebrouck to draw a significant comparison with Rodri.

“It is often said of Rodri that he dictates the tempo, never loses possession, and always plays forward,” he said. “Is Lavia of exactly the same calibre?”

Vanhaezebrouck also noted that Lavia played 85 minutes twice for Belgium, considerably longer than the coach says Chelsea have typically kept him on the pitch.

“But whenever he plays, it is ‘wow’,” he added.

The midfielder's durability will remain important given his injury history, but completing substantial minutes at international level offers another encouraging sign.

Asked specifically whether Lavia could eventually reach Ballon d'Or level, Vanhaezebrouck gave an emphatic assessment.

“If he stays fit, he will become a player who qualifies for that,” he said.

“He has it all: good footwork, doesn’t lose the ball, a low centre of gravity which means he always turns away well.

“You can hang onto him, but he is so solid that he stays upright. The assist to Lukebakio, the ball to De Bruyne against France: he is constantly scanning as well. He has almost 360-degree vision.”

Vanhaezebrouck concluded: “With Lavia, we are getting a world-class player that Tedesco and Garcia didn’t have.”

It is a substantial prediction given how much football Lavia has missed since arriving at Stamford Bridge. His talent has rarely been the primary question, however.

If Chelsea can keep him available consistently, this season could provide the clearest indication yet of how high his ceiling really is.

Lavia's challenge is maintaining the availability that has so often eluded him since joining Chelsea. His recent run for club and country is encouraging, but sustained fitness and regular Premier League performances will be necessary before Vanhaezebrouck's Ballon d'Or prediction can seriously be tested.