Romeo Lavia backs Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea project before Arsenal derby

Chelsea midfielder Romeo Lavia says manager Xabi Alonso has helped establish a winning mentality at the club as they prepare to face Arsenal at Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

Lavia has started both of Chelsea’s league matches since Alonso took charge and scored his first goal for the club during Sunday’s dramatic 4-3 victory over Brighton at Stamford Bridge.

The Belgium international believes Chelsea’s positive start is rooted in the attitude developed within the squad, with Alonso playing a key role in setting standards during pre-season and beyond.

“Our mentality has been great so far, starting from pre-season,” Lavia said. “The manager has really been big on that to help us get that extra per cent to help us get the three points.”

Chelsea have won their opening two league matches, and Lavia expects the team’s confidence to increase as the players become more familiar with one another and Alonso’s methods.

“It’s all about building confidence,” he said. “Obviously, my team-mates are giving me a lot of it, and the manager as well. It’s just about building game by game, and I feel great, so hopefully it can continue forever.”

His goal against Brighton was a significant personal milestone. It was Lavia’s first for Chelsea and came in front of the Stamford Bridge supporters, although he acknowledged that the finish itself was far from spectacular.

“It means a lot to score my first – a lot,” he said. “I’m very happy – to score at the Bridge as well. For a first one, it can’t get any better.”

Lavia added: “It’s not the best-looking goal, but I’ll take it every day.”

The midfielder was particularly encouraged by the response from the Chelsea fans and his team-mates, saying the celebration made the achievement even more memorable.

“It was a fantastic reaction from the fans, and from my team-mates as well. I really felt the love, so it was an amazing feeling.”

Chelsea had to withstand a strong Brighton fightback before securing all three points, but Lavia believes the result demonstrated the trust developing between the players.

He said team-mates are increasingly comfortable stepping forward when others need support, allowing the group to maintain its intensity throughout matches.

“We know our colleagues, and when we know that our colleagues can take over, we just need to make sure the rest goes with it,” he said.

“We realise that it’s automatic – that we just push each other. We know our colleagues will take over in the end.”

That developing understanding will face a major test in Sunday’s London derby against Arsenal. Chelsea will travel to Emirates Stadium hoping to maintain their perfect league start under Alonso.

Lavia says the level of work demanded in training is preparing the squad for the intensity of Premier League matches, with the players now beginning to transfer that preparation into competitive performances.

“It’s honestly a great group to be in, and the demands in training every single day make it easier to then perform on the weekend,” he said.

“There’s a lot of work that goes behind the scenes, and it was just about putting that into practice. We’re happy that they came off well against Brighton, so I’m very happy.”