Romeo Lavia has claimed that Chelsea’s history is one of the reasons he scorned Liverpool to move to Stamford Bridge.
The Belgian’s £58 million deal closed on Friday morning, leaving him free to play for his new club this weekend. Lavia signed a seven-year contract after a long transfer saga, so Liverpool agreed a payment with Southampton, only for the player to press. for moving to Chelsea.
His public refusal came just days after Moises Caicedo made the same decision, with Maurcio Pochettino now counting on a midfielder who rivals any world football. And speaking after the confirmation of his agreement, Lavia insisted that the loan and the ambitions of the club, as well as its recent and successful history, were the decisive reasons for his choice.
He said on the club’s website: “I am satisfied and proud to sign for this football club, a club with a wonderful history and it is a privilege for me to be able to wear this blouse today.
“I think the task and ambitions of the club were key points, but also history and those are the 3 points that decided us to make a decision.
Lavia added: “First of all, Mauricio Pochettino is a wonderful coach, I think we all know what he has done before and when I spoke to him he was quite transparent about what he was looking for and the direction he was looking for the team. I was pleased to hear what he was looking for and his power matched mine, so I’m excited to start running with him.
Lavia becomes Chelsea’s eighth summer signing as Todd Boehly’s spending approaches the £1 billion mark in just three windows of his lead.
“Yes, it’s a very exciting time, and most of the time the players we’ve signed are players I’ve played against and I think those players are good, so to be working with them is a wonderful feeling. “said the incorporation of a graduate of Manchester City’s academy.
“I think we’re all young, smart players, so we’ll be smart with each other and that’s the only way to succeed. I talked to Wesley Fofana, he’s a smart friend of mine, and it turned out to be a dressing room with a wonderful atmosphere and I just wanted to be a part of it.
Chelsea sporting co-directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley said: “We are very pleased to welcome Romeo to Chelsea. He showed his quality in the Premier League last season at Southampton, looking like an adult despite his young age, and is a player we have been following for some time.
“We believe he is in a position to make an impact on Chelsea throughout the ongoing campaign and for years to come. “
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