According to a report by Football London on Monday 2 November 2026, Romeo Lavia has credited former Chelsea forward Eden Hazard with providing extra motivation as he continues to establish himself as an important player under manager Xabi Alonso.

The Belgian midfielder remains in regular contact with Hazard, who was present at Stamford Bridge on Saturday to watch Chelsea secure a 2-0 Premier League victory over Manchester United.

Lavia delivered an impressive performance against United, with the display regarded by some supporters as his best since joining Chelsea.

His recent improvement has also attracted attention, particularly after struggling with injuries during his time at the club.

Hazard played an important role in convincing Lavia to move to Stamford Bridge from Southampton in the summer of 2023.

Their relationship has continued since the transfer, with the former Chelsea star offering encouragement to his compatriot.

Speaking to BBC Sport, Lavia said: "Yes, he’s a very important figure for me and we speak quite \[a\] lot, so it’s good to see him out here and I can see in his eyes that he’s happy for me and proud, so that gives me that extra motivation."

The midfielder's comments underline the influence Hazard continues to have on players at Chelsea, even after bringing his professional career to an end.

Lavia's performances this season have also shown progress in his defensive responsibilities under Alonso.

According to FotMob statistics cited by The Chelsea Chronicle, his average defensive contributions have increased from 8.83 last season to 14.56 in the current campaign.

His tackling figures have also improved, rising from 1.91 per 90 minutes last season to 3.15 under Alonso. Meanwhile, his interceptions have increased from 1.19 to 2.91 per 90 minutes.

The 22-year-old has also recorded a higher top speed this season, reaching 32.7 km/h compared with 31.9 km/h during the previous campaign.

Lavia's improved availability and defensive output could make him an important option alongside Moises Caicedo in Chelsea's midfield.