According to a report published by Chelsea Chronicle on Monday, November 2, 2026, Romeo Lavia has disclosed that former Chelsea star Eden Hazard has been a source of inspiration behind his excellent performances this season.

The Belgian midfielder revealed that he remains in regular communication with Hazard, whose support encourages him to keep improving and make the former Blues forward proud.

Lavia was among Chelsea's standout performers in their 2-0 Premier League win over Manchester United, producing what many considered one of his strongest displays since joining the club. Hazard watched the match from the stands at Stamford Bridge, where he witnessed his compatriot's impressive performance.

The former Chelsea attacker was instrumental in convincing Lavia to leave Southampton for Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2023. Since then, the pair have maintained a strong connection and continue to speak regularly.

During an interview with BBC Sport, Lavia spoke about the influence Hazard has had on him. He described the Belgian icon as an important person in his life, adding that knowing Hazard is proud of his performances gives him extra motivation. He was particularly pleased that the former forward was in attendance to watch him play against Manchester United.

While manager Xabi Alonso would undoubtedly welcome a player with Hazard's attacking abilities, Chelsea currently have several talented options going forward. Morgan Rogers caught the eye with a brilliant individual goal against United, while Cole Palmer found the net from the penalty spot. Estevao Willian also made a positive impression after being handed his first Premier League start of the campaign.

Beyond his performances on the ball, Lavia has made considerable strides defensively this season. Statistics from FotMob show that his average defensive contributions have climbed to 14.56, compared with 8.83 during the previous campaign.

His tackling and interception numbers have also improved under Alonso's management. Lavia now averages 3.15 tackles per 90 minutes, a notable increase from last season's 1.91. His interceptions have similarly risen from 1.19 to 2.91 per 90 minutes.

The midfielder has also recorded an improvement in his top speed, reaching 32.7 km/h compared with 31.9 km/h last season. Chelsea will be eager to see him sustain this progress when they take on Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.