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Story summary
Thomas Lavia, a 22-year-old midfielder signed by Chelsea from Southampton in 2023 for an initial £53 million, has impressed many with his performances. Lavia scored his first goal for Chelsea against Brighton and Hove Albion on September 17, helping secure a 4-3 victory despite injuries limiting his early career at the club. The Belgian international, who started all four of Belgium’s Nations League matches recently under manager Xabi Alonso, has drawn comparisons to previous Ballon d'Or winners by former Belgium coach Ernesto Vanhaezebrouck. Vanhaezebrouck stated that Lavia is "a phenomenon" and one of the best midfielders in the world, provided he stays fit. This highlights the high expectations placed on Lavia to become a future Ballon d'Or contender.
Written for “Ballon d'Or Contender Discussion” on 2026-10-09,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Lavia, 22, has forced his way into the Belgium setup, following in the footsteps of legendary players before him in what was the country’s ‘golden generation’.
asserted
what → force → him
The former Manchester City and Southampton man featured in all four of his side’s Nations League fixtures in the recent window, having started the first four games of Xabi Alonso’s tenure at Stamford Bridge.
asserted
man → feature → Bridge
The Belgian notched his first goal for the club in the topsy-turvy 4-3 win over Brighton and Hove Albion in their second game of the campaign, playing ahead of Enzo Fernandez, who was in the process of forcing through a move to Man City.
asserted
who → notch → City
Lavia was signed from Southampton in 2023 for an initial £53million, penning a seven-year deal in west London.
asserted
Lavia → sign → London
While his injury problems have hampered the first few years of his Chelsea career, Vanhaezebrouck compared the young star to a previous winner of the Golden Ball.
asserted
Vanhaezebrouck → hamper → Ball
“Anyone with a Premier League subscription already knew it,” he told Het Nieuwsblad.
asserted
he → know → Nieuwsblad
One of the best midfielders in the world, provided he stays fit.
asserted
he → provide → world
“I wonder what Chelsea think of the fact that he stayed on the pitch for 85 minutes twice.
asserted
he → wonder → minutes
Usually, he is substituted after 65 minutes.”
asserted
he → substitute → minutes
Vanhaezebrouck, who has managed all the top clubs in Belgium, believes that the Blues could well have a future Ballon d’Or winner on their hands.
uncertain
Blues → manage → hands
“If he stays fit, he will become a player who qualifies for [the Ballon d’Or shortlist].
asserted
who → stay → shortlist
He has it all.
asserted
He → have → it
Good footwork, doesn’t lose the ball, a low centre of gravity which means he always turns away well.
asserted
he → lose → gravity
“You can hang onto him, but he is so solid that he stays upright.
asserted
he → hang → him
He is constantly scanning as well.
asserted
He → scan → ?
He has almost 360-degree vision.
asserted
He → have → vision
With Lavia, we are getting a world-class player that [former Belgium manangers Domenico] Tedesco and [Rudi] Garcia didn’t have.”
asserted
manangers → get → that
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