Midfielder may have accidentally shown just what Enzo Maresca is preparing his players for against Arsenal | OneFootball

Romeo Lavia is finally getting into the groove as a Chelsea player. After a wasted season out injured, he’s back in the frame now and spoke to the club’s official website about his difficult 12 months and the huge Arsenal match which comes around tomorrow.

“It was really challenging because you’ve just joined and you’re really excited to show what you can do at such a beautiful club, and then this happened. It’s hard at first, but how can you turn it into something positive? I tried to have that thought in my head, even though sometimes it was very hard,” Lavia explained when asked about his injury issues.

“That pushed me to be at my best in my rehab, and to come back and not particularly have to take it step by step when you’re back with the team, and try to be as ready as possible.”

He’s made a great return to far, in some testing matches. His thoughts on the game tomorrow make the whole Chelsea team’s ideas clear, and also gives an idea of what manager Enzo Maresca has been stressing in training:

“It’s going to be challenging everywhere on the pitch. They’re a strong team. It’s a derby, so they’re going to come for it so we have got to be ready, and we will be ready. Whatever the challenge is, we will prepare as much as we can to face it.”

Enzo Maresca gives a message to Romeo Lavia. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)

Lavia has crucial role in massive Arsenal match

Lavia already knows what his role will be tomorrow against an Arsenal team which has been build specifically to be physically dominant and to win duels from front to back. He not only has to compete with big boys like Declan Rice and Mikel Merino in midfield, he also has to provide the transition from defence to attack when his team get the chance to spring a counter.

His combination in midfield with Moises Caicedo has been excellent so far this season, and tomorrow it will be needed more than ever.