Cole Palmer thinks his Chelsea teammate will develop into one of the world’s very best players in his position.
The Chelsea squad is stacked full of so many talented youngsters, so fans will hope they grow together into a winning machine during the upcoming seasons.
It’s been a clear transfer strategy under the current Blues owners to invest in rising stars for the future. For instance, young talents Estevao Willian and Dario Essugo will be added to the inexperienced group at Stamford Bridge next season.
Joe Cole wants more experience in Chelsea’s squad to help guide the fresh faces through the tough moments. Instead, Enzo Maresca’s youthful team are very much learning on the job because the oldest outfield player this season is aged 27.
Cole Palmer predicts Romeo Lavia will become one of the world’s best midfielders
Chelsea star Cole Palmer, 23, is definitely somebody that supporters debate about being one of the best attacking midfielders around after two stellar seasons in West London.
During an interview with Sky Sports Premier League, Palmer predicted that 21-year-old Blues teammate Romeo Lavia will eventually be spoken about as one of the world’s elite midfielders.
He said: “I think he’s one of the best midfielders I’ve played with, to be honest. Everyone’s not seen it because he’s been injured, but obviously I knew him at [Manchester] City, and I think everyone will realise soon. I think he will be one of the best midfielders in the world.
“He’s been injured, so it’s been difficult for him, but in the games he has played this season, you see what difference he’s made. I think when he has a full season playing and staying fit, hopefully, then I think everyone will realise.”
While Palmer has gone from strength to strength during two years at Chelsea, Lavia’s first two seasons with the club look quite different.
Lavia has been super unfortunate with injuries across both seasons with the Blues. As a result, it’s meant that the defensive midfielder hasn’t truly been able to show his quality.
| Season | Appearances |
| 2024/25 | 16 |
| 2023/24 | 1 |
There are signs when Lavia plays that he is a special talent in midfield with the way he controls possession and passes through the lines. It’s been refreshing for supporters to watch him start the last three consecutive Premier League matches as he begins to find some luck.
Head coach Enzo Maresca says Chelsea are better when Romeo Lavia plays, so it’s just a matter of keeping him fit and available.
Romeo Lavia needs to become robust
It’s very concerning that Lavia’s body continues to break down with injuries, but one positive is that it’s not always been the case.
In the 2022/23 season, Lavia played 29 Premier League matches for Southampton as a key player at St Mary’s.
If fit, we’re confident that Lavia can be one of the first names in Chelsea’s starting line-up. The key for the Belgian talent is to build some rhythm in his Blues career, so it feels like this summer could be really important to give him a platform to attack next season.
A player with Lavia’s individual talent deserves a bit of extra patience from the fanbase.
