McFarlane hails Romeo Lavia revival after dominant FA Cup semi-final display

Chelsea interim head coach Calum McFarlane hailed the resurgence of Romeo Lavia following the midfielder’s commanding display in the Blues’ 1–0 FA Cup semi-final victory over Leeds United on Sunday.

The win, which secures Chelsea a place in the final against Manchester City, was defined by a dominant midfield performance.

Speaking after the match, McFarlane emphasized that Lavia is finally finding his rhythm after a cautious return from the injury struggles that have hampered his tenure at Stamford Bridge.

“He’s been coming back slowly,” McFarlane noted. “I’ve known Romeo for a long time. I worked with him at Manchester City. I know his level, I know his talent. I thought him and Moises Caicedo were fantastic.”

The tactical synergy between Lavia and Caicedo proved to be the difference-maker at Wembley. McFarlane, who took the interim reins on April 22 following the dismissal of Liam Rosenior, pointed to Lavia’s unique technical profile as the catalyst for Chelsea’s ability to bypass the Leeds press.

“Whenever they were aggressive, we had an outlet to go into and his quality with bouncing balls and half steps is so important,” McFarlane explained.

The coach’s existing relationship with the player from their days in the City academy appears to have accelerated Lavia’s integration into the starting XI during this critical period of the season.

Beyond the tactical benefits, McFarlane highlighted the importance of squad depth as the club navigates a high-pressure end to the campaign.

While Lavia’s performance took center stage, the interim boss was quick to credit the competition within the ranks, specifically mentioning Liam Curd’s recent contributions.

“Liam has done a good job for us and it’s good to have two to rely on,” he added.