Chelsea Fans Celebrate as Romeo Lavia Shines on Return Against Everton

Chelsea fans were full of excitement after coach Enzo Maresca gave Romeo Lavia a surprise start against Everton — and the young midfielder showed exactly why he is so highly rated.

The Blues, who were looking to continue their good form after beating Fulham last week, were boosted by Lavia’s return to the team. The 21-year-old, who signed for Chelsea from Southampton last year for £58 million, has had a difficult time with injuries but was finally ready to start again. Captain Reece James was rested for this match, and Maresca trusted Lavia to take control of the midfield — and he certainly did.

Before the match, Maresca explained that Lavia had been fit for a few weeks but needed to be managed carefully to avoid any more injuries. Now, with the season reaching an important stage, the coach decided it was the right time to bring him back — and it proved to be a smart decision.

Lavia’s stats show just how good he was on the pitch:

• 3 tackles
• 2 interceptions
• Won 100% of his aerial duels (3 out of 3)
• Completed 100% of his long passes
• Completed 100% of his dribbles
• 87% passing accuracy
• 33 passes completed

#Chelsea are simply a far better side with Romeo Lavia in it. 👏 pic.twitter.com/yTPGZoQFun

— Talk Chelsea (@talkchelsea) April 26, 2025

Even though it was his first start since December, Lavia played like he had never been away. He defended well, passed the ball smartly, and helped Chelsea control the match.

Fans were overjoyed to see him back in action. One fan said: “I can’t believe how calm and confident Roméo Lavia is when other players try to pressure him.”
Another fan added: “Roméo Lavia is playing and now our football looks so much better. He gives the team so many more options.”
And another supporter wrote: “No matter how many injuries he has, Romeo Lavia always comes back and plays amazingly. He’s such a talented player — it’s just bad luck with fitness that holds him back.”

Lavia made a huge difference in how Chelsea played. With him in the middle of the pitch, the Blues looked much more organised, faster in attack, and confident when passing the ball. His ability to stay calm under pressure helped Chelsea avoid mistakes and move the ball forward with ease.

Even though he is still only 21, Lavia plays with a lot of maturity. He understands where to be on the pitch, makes smart decisions, and handles the ball with real class.

While this performance was a big positive for Chelsea, Maresca and his team know they have to be careful. They need to manage Lavia’s playing time properly to avoid any more injury problems. With the fight for Champions League places heating up, having Lavia fit and ready could make a huge difference for the rest of the season.

Saturday’s match was a big step forward — and if Lavia can stay healthy, Chelsea fans will have a lot more reasons to celebrate.