Belgium U-21 coach clears up Romeo Lavia call-up confusion

Belgium U-21 manager Gill Swerts has moved to clarify the situation around Romeo Lavia after mixed messages over the midfielder’s involvement this international break.

Chelsea had initially announced that Lavia had been called up, only for that information to later disappear and spark rumours he had turned down the chance to play.

Lavia, who has only recently returned to fitness after a difficult run of injuries, will not feature for Belgium’s youth side or the senior team this month. Swerts stressed that the decision was carefully discussed between all parties and not a case of the player refusing to represent his country.

“There was a miscommunication. He was on the preliminary selection for the first team, and then there was contact between the federation and Chelsea’s staff,” Swerts explained. “It was sounded out whether he could get minutes for the U21s, but it was decided by mutual agreement not to do so. But Roméo never refused his selection.”

The clarification is intended to protect Lavia’s reputation, reassuring Belgium fans that the 20-year-old remains fully committed to the national setup as he focuses on regaining full match sharpness at Chelsea.