Southampton midfielder Roméo Lavia “has to be a part” of Belgium’s squad moving forwards after his impressive performances for Southampton.
That’s according to journalist Benjamin Deceuninck, who believes the Southampton midfielder should be a part of a rebuild under Domenico Tedesco.
Lavia joined Southampton in a €12.3m deal from Manchester City’s under 21 set up in the summer transfer market as one of several young players to move to Saint Mary’s in that window.
He had been with Manchester City since 2020 when he signed from Anderlecht but only managed two first team appearances for the club before his departure.
He’s been a regular for Southampton since his arrival, though, racking up 18 appearances in all competitions so far and establishing himself as a key player when fit.
That was certainly the case over the weekend when he played a starring role in Southampton’s win over Chelsea.
Lavia earned plenty of plaudits for his performance in that game in the analysis afterwards and Deceuninck believes he has to be a part of Belgium’s squad moving forwards.
“Yes, I would take him with my eyes closed,” RTBF report him saying.
“He must be part of the Red Devils’ backbone for the next ten/fifteen years if he doesn’t get injured. He is the perfect modern defensive midfielder. He’s very young, so maybe we shouldn’t make him a permanent starter just yet, that’s not what I’m saying.
“But he must be in the group, and he must be tested. I think he’s really an incredible player and this weekend against Chelsea he was monstrous.
“He has everything, really. He has the potential to be THE defensive midfielder at a big club in the years to come.
“He collects the ball, he has a long pass, he has a projection forward but he also has a vision of the game that makes him occupy the right positions.
“In this area of the pitch, it’s not the end of the generation, it’s rather a new generation that is arriving. So, Romeo Lavia, yes, three times yes!”
