"Wow" - £58m Chelsea "phenomenon" tipped as surprise Ballon d'Or contender amid Rodri comparison

Chelsea midfielder Romeo Lavia has been tipped to scope Ballon d'Or level by erstwhile Gent and Anderlecht manager Hein Vanhaezebrouck.

The Belgium planetary has endured a hard commencement to beingness astatine Stamford Bridge due to the fact that of persistent wounded problems, but helium has impressed erstwhile disposable this season.

Vanhaezebrouck believes Lavia has the qualities to go 1 of the world's champion midfielders if helium tin yet enactment fit.

Former Gent manager tips Romeo Lavia for Ballon d'Or

Chelsea paid £58m to motion Lavia from Southampton successful 2023 but has struggled to support his fitness, suffering 11 wounded setbacks and missing 624 days since moving to westbound London.

The 22-year-old managed 2,144 minutes crossed 48 appearances past play and has already featured 5 times this campaign. His improved availability has besides seen him go progressively important for Belgium.

Lavia featured successful each 4 of Belgium's caller Nations League fixtures, prompting further praise from Vanhaezebrouck.

The erstwhile Gent brag told Het Nieuwsblad (via Sport Witness): "Anyone with a Premier League subscription already knew it: Lavia is simply a phenomenon. One of the champion midfielders successful the world, provided helium stays fit."

Vanhaezebrouck adjacent compared the Chelsea midfielder with Rodri, asking: "It is often said of Rodri that helium dictates the tempo, ne'er loses possession, and ever plays forward. Is Lavia of precisely the aforesaid calibre?"

He past backed Lavia to scope the precise highest idiosyncratic level.

"If helium stays fit, helium volition go a subordinate who qualifies for that. He has it all: bully footwork, doesn't suffer the ball, a debased centre of gravity which means helium ever turns distant well," helium said.

"Whenever helium plays, it is 'wow'."

Will Romeo Lavia ever triumph the Ballon d'Or?

It is simply a immense endorsement, but Lavia winning the Ballon d'Or inactive feels similar an improbable result astatine this stage.

There is plentifulness to respect astir his game, peculiarly his composure, shot retention and quality to advancement play. Vanhaezebrouck's statement of him arsenic a "world-class player" shows the level of content astir the midfielder.

But Chelsea person different stars who would arguably person a stronger assertion if they ever entered that conversation.

Cole Palmer has already established himself arsenic 1 of the club's starring attacking talents, portion Morgan Rogers has the imaginable to go a large star.

Even then, winning the Ballon d'Or remains an tremendous ask.

Lavia tin surely go world-class if helium yet puts his wounded problems down him, but determination is simply a immense quality betwixt reaching that level and really winning the game's astir prestigious idiosyncratic award.