Goal efficiency
How clinical and direct the player was in front of goal — volume, accuracy, and conversion.
Euro Championship - Qualification · Midfielder · #45 · Belgium · 22 yrs
Roméo Lavia is a midfielder. Roméo Lavia is a represents Belgium, 22 years old, midfielder. Roméo Lavia wears shirt number 45. Roméo Lavia was born in Brussels, Belgium on 2004-01-06. Roméo Lavia is 181 cm tall and weighs 76 kg. Roméo Lavia's Sportra profile tracks season statistics across Euro Championship - Qualification, FIFA Club World Cup, Premier League, UEFA Nations League, and other leagues. Roméo Lavia's page brings together career clubs, trophies, injury history, multi-competition stats, and related news headlines. On Sportra you can explore Roméo Lavia season statistics, transfer history, trophies, injury updates, and related news across every competition tracked in the profile.
Midfielder · #45
| Season | Team |
|---|---|
| 2026 |  Chelsea CHE |
| 2025 |  Belgium U21 BEL |
| 2025 | Chelsea CHE |
| 2024 |  Belgium BEL |
| 2024 | Chelsea CHE |
| Date | Type | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-08-18 | € 62.1M |  Southampton SOU | Chelsea CHE |
| 2022-07-06 | € 11.7M |  Manchester City MCI | Southampton SOU |
Season intelligence
Profile as Midfielder: pressure magnet. Archetype: Pressing forward. Season rating 6.9.
Scaled 0–99 from season output — map to fantasy, comparisons, or scouting cards.
Per-90 rates, efficiency ratios, and Sportra indices from season totals.
How clinical and direct the player was in front of goal — volume, accuracy, and conversion.
Playmaking output: assists, key passes, and custom chance-creation signals.
Isolation threat and progressive carrying — volume plus success rate.
How often they draw fouls and stay out of trouble with cards.
Tackles, duels, and off-ball defensive contribution.
Shot-stopping, goals conceded, and penalty saves.
Minutes, availability, and how central they were to the team.
Every tracked category for this league and season, grouped by Sportra.
Arsenal star Kai Havertz may be the best false nine on the planet, says Joe Cole (Picture: Getty) Joe Cole has praised Kai Havertz’s ‘absolutely sensational’ performance against Chelsea and believes the German may be the best false nine in world football. Arsenal got off to a nightmare start in Sunday’s derby as Morgan Rogers fired a stunning volley beyond David Raya to open the scoring after only two minutes. But Havertz helped inspire a spirited comeback from the Premier League champions, equalising with a precise finish past Emiliano Martinez before playing a key role in Martin Odegaard’s winner shortly after half-time. While Christos Tzolis provided the assist for Odegaard’s decisive strike, it was Havertz’s exquisite dummy in the build-up that earned many of the plaudits as the Gunners held firm to maintain their 100 per cent record. Sign up for In The Mixer, Metro's football newsletter Get exclusive analysis and previews of the biggest games every Friday. Sign up now for free. The result moved Mikel Arteta’s side level on points at the top of the table with Manchester City, the only other side in the division with three wins from their first three contests. Havertz and Co will look to pick up where they left off when they return to top-flight action away to Sunderland – first, though, Arteta’s men do battle with Napoli in Champions League on Wednesday night. ‘It burns me every time I see him playing for Arsenal and performing the way he performed,’ Cole said of Havertz while reflecting on the derby on The Dressing Room Podcast. Havertz had a hand in both of Arsenal’s goals against Chelsea (Picture: Getty) Odegaard completed the Gunners’ fightback in a compelling derby (Picture: PA) ‘He was absolutely sensational in that position and we sleep on him constantly. ‘We did a highlights reel of him and it could have been 15 minutes with the touches, the way he was dropping in, the dummy for Odegaard’s goal. ‘As a centre-forward, that false nine, is there a better player at that role in world football?’ {"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"'It was beautiful': Arteta hails Arsenal's attack-to-defence display in win against Chelsea","contentUrl":"https:\/\/videos.metro.co.uk\/video\/met\/2026\/09\/07\/2593273995855020828\/480x270_MP4_2593273995855020828.mp4","description":"Arsenal came from behind to beat Chelsea 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium after Morgan Rogers stunned home fans into silence with a volleyed goal 77 seconds into the game.","duration":"T5M27S","height":270,"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/i.dailymail.com\/1s\/2026\/09\/07\/07\/111091359-0-image-a-53_1788761962819.jpg","uploadDate":"2026-09-07T07:17:08+0100","width":480} To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Up Next Previous Page Next Page window.addEventListener('metroVideo:relatedVideosCarouselLoaded', function(data) { if (typeof(data.detail) === 'undefined' || typeof(data.detail.carousel) === 'undefined' || typeof(data.detail.carousel.el_) === 'undefined') { return; } var player = data.detail.carousel.el_; var container = player.closest('.metro-video-player'); var placeholder = container.querySelector('.metro-video-player__up-next-placeholder'); if (placeholder) { container.removeChild(placeholder); container.classList.add('metro-video-player--related-videos-loaded'); } }); According to Cole, Arsenal were able to claw themselves back into the game with their ‘dominance’ in the midfield. ‘Moises Caicedo being injured was a little dampener. Romeo Lavia is a good player but he just can’t seem to keep himself fit for a sustained period of time,’ he added. ‘Reece James, Malo Gusto, whoever plays in there with him, it’s not Enzo Fernandez and Caicedo. ‘I thought Arsenal just slightly dominated that midfield area and that allowed them to build into the game but there’s a lot to be proud of for Chelsea.’ {"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"Alonso: Che
Joe Cole has been blown away by Chelsea’s big-money signing Morgan Rogers (The Dressing Room Podcast) Joe Cole says he ‘didn’t realise’ quite how good Morgan Rogers was following his move to Chelsea, branding the attacker an ‘absolute monster’. Chelsea smashed their transfer record to sign Rogers after reaching a £117million agreement with Aston Villa for the 24-year-old England international back in July. Arsenal had initially been in pole position to capture Rogers but were blown out of the water by their fierce London rivals in one of the most compelling transfer sagas of the summer. Rogers has hit the ground running with the Blues, registering two goals and an assist in his three opening Premier League appearances under the tutelage of Xabi Alonso. Sign up for In The Mixer, Metro's football newsletter Get exclusive analysis and previews of the biggest games every Friday. Sign up now for free. His latest strike came just two minutes into Sunday’s heavyweight clash with Arsenal, with the former Villa man firing a low volley past David Raya to send the away end into raptures at the Emirates. The Gunners came from behind to emerge victorious, though, as Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard scored either side of half-time to preserve their 100 per cent record in the Premier League. Though disappointed with the result in the derby, ex-Chelsea winger Cole has been encouraged what he has seen from Alonso’s side at this embryonic stage of the campaign. Rogers fired Chelsea in front against Arsenal with a brilliant volley (Picture: Reuters) Arsenal rallied after Rogers’ strike to come away 2-1 victors (Picture: Getty) However, he fears the Blues may have left themselves a little short in central midfield after failing to tie down a replacement for Enzo Fernandez on transfer deadline day. ‘It’s really exciting at Chelsea. I went to Stamford Bridge to watch the game against Brighton and the front three of Morgan Rogers, Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro just looked electric so that gives you great excitement,’ Cole said on The Dressing Room Podcast. ‘Moises Caicedo being injured was a little dampener. Romeo Lavia is a good player but he just can’t seem to keep himself fit for a sustained period of time. {"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"Alonso: Chelsea made to 'hurt' by Arsenal during 2-1 defeat","contentUrl":"https:\/\/videos.metro.co.uk\/video\/met\/2026\/09\/07\/4710295427016078709\/480x270_MP4_4710295427016078709.mp4","description":"1-0 up. 2-1 loss.","duration":"T6M45S","height":270,"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/i.dailymail.com\/1s\/2026\/09\/07\/07\/111091357-0-image-a-105_1788761969650.jpg","uploadDate":"2026-09-07T07:19:25+0100","width":480} To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Up Next Previous Page Next Page window.addEventListener('metroVideo:relatedVideosCarouselLoaded', function(data) { if (typeof(data.detail) === 'undefined' || typeof(data.detail.carousel) === 'undefined' || typeof(data.detail.carousel.el_) === 'undefined') { return; } var player = data.detail.carousel.el_; var container = player.closest('.metro-video-player'); var placeholder = container.querySelector('.metro-video-player__up-next-placeholder'); if (placeholder) { container.removeChild(placeholder); container.classList.add('metro-video-player--related-videos-loaded'); } }); ‘Reece James, Malo Gusto, whoever plays in there with him, it’s not Enzo Fernandez and Caicedo. ‘I thought Arsenal just slightly dominated that midfield area and that allowed them to build into the game but there’s a lot to be proud of for Chelsea.’ {"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"'It was beautiful': Arteta hails Arsenal's attack-to-defence display in win against Chelsea","contentUrl":"https:\/\/videos.metro.co.uk\/video\/met\/2026\/09\/07\/2593273995855020828\/480x270_MP4_2593273995855020828.mp4","description":"Arsenal came from behind to beat Chelsea 2-1 at the E
Chelsea should take ‘confidence’ from their 2-1 defeat to Arsenal, says Gary Neville (Picture: Sky Sports) Gary Neville says Chelsea are going in the ‘right direction’ under Xabi Alonso and should finish no lower than third in the Premier League this season. After winning their opening two matches against Fulham and Brighton, Chelsea were given their sternest test yet away to the champions Arsenal on Sunday. The visitors got off to a dream start as Morgan Rogers fired a brilliant second-minute volley past David Raya from the edge of the box to send the away end into raptures at the Emirates. But the Gunners rallied and found an equaliser through Kai Havertz, who beat Emiliano Martinez at his near post with a smart finish against his former club. Exclusive Premier League previews Get ahead of the start of the season with our weekly football newsletter. Sign up now for free. The two teams went into the half-time break all square before Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard capitalised on an exquisite dummy from Havertz to put the hosts in front for the first time in the contest. Mikel Arteta’s men held firm to come away from the derby with a 2-1 victory, ensuring they moved level on points with Manchester City – last year’s runners-up – at the top of the table. Arsenal are now undefeated in their last 12 matches in all competitions versus the Blues, dating back to the latter’s 2-0 win at the Emirates in August 2021. Odegaard scored the decisive goal in north London (Picture: Getty) Rogers had put the away side in front in only the second minute (Picture: Getty) Chelsea’s latest setback leaves the club stuck down in fourth, with Alonso’s side facing third-placed Hull City in their next top-flight game on Saturday afternoon. Dissecting the match on his Sky Sports podcast, Neville picked out where there remain some question marks in Chelsea’s starting XI. The former Manchester United and England right-back also revealed his ‘surprise’ at Alonso’s decision to remove Romeo Lavia for Malo Gusto on the hour-mark in north London. ‘I thought Emiliano Martinez should have saved that first goal and he’ll be really disappointed with that,’ Neville said. ‘The back three is a question and whether that can grow to be good enough… [Wesley] Fofana not reading the one where Havertz dummies it. Again, just that experience, being wise. {"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"'It was beautiful': Arteta hails Arsenal's attack-to-defence display in win against Chelsea","contentUrl":"https:\/\/videos.metro.co.uk\/video\/met\/2026\/09\/07\/2593273995855020828\/480x270_MP4_2593273995855020828.mp4","description":"Arsenal came from behind to beat Chelsea 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium after Morgan Rogers stunned home fans into silence with a volleyed goal 77 seconds into the game.","duration":"T5M27S","height":270,"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/i.dailymail.com\/1s\/2026\/09\/07\/07\/111091359-0-image-a-53_1788761962819.jpg","uploadDate":"2026-09-07T07:17:08+0100","width":480} To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Up Next Previous Page Next Page window.addEventListener('metroVideo:relatedVideosCarouselLoaded', function(data) { if (typeof(data.detail) === 'undefined' || typeof(data.detail.carousel) === 'undefined' || typeof(data.detail.carousel.el_) === 'undefined') { return; } var player = data.detail.carousel.el_; var container = player.closest('.metro-video-player'); var placeholder = container.querySelector('.metro-video-player__up-next-placeholder'); if (placeholder) { container.removeChild(placeholder); container.classList.add('metro-video-player--related-videos-loaded'); } }); ‘Whether the wing-backs are good enough right now… but I think [Pedro] Neto did a very good job and [Jorrel] Hato’s done okay. ‘In midfield, I thought Lavia played well. He was disappointed to go off and I was surprised to see him go off but they don’t want to lose him, maybe they thought Gusto a
Guimaraes picked up a minor knock against Aston Villa (Picture: Getty) Mikel Arteta has an injury doubt in midfield when Arsenal take on Chelsea in the biggest game of the new Premier League season this afternoon. The London rivals have each picked up two wins from two with Chelsea’s vibrant attack having many tip them as Arsenal’s closest title rivals this season. The Gunners meanwhile have picked up from where they left off, mean in defence having shut out both Coventry City and Aston Villa. Cristhian Mosquera started both games at centre-half in the absence of William Saliba but a knock could force Mikel Arteta into a change with Ezri Konsa ready to come in. Exclusive Premier League previews Get ahead of the start of the season with our weekly football newsletter. Sign up now for free. Bruno Guimaraes missed the opening game of the season, coming off the bench in that 1-0 win at Villa Park. But the Brazil international picked up another minor issue in that game, leaving him a doubt today. On Friday, Arteta spoke positively of Jurrein Timber’s fitness with the Dutchman back training with the first-team after his extended layoff. He has not started a game since March with a return this afternoon unlikely. Chelsea meanwhile are sweating on the fitness of Moises Caicedo. After missing the season-opening win against Fulham, he came off the bench against Brighton with the Blues clinging on a little bit in the second-half. But his afternoon lasted just 11 minutes with the Ecuador international leaving the pitch in some discomfort. Caicedo was not in training this week but speaking on Friday, Xabi Alonso was hopeful he could return for Saturday’s session and give him a chance of being in contention today. Summer signing Marco Palestra is unlikely to be available as he continues to recover from a knock with Jordan Henderson also still working his way back from the wrist injury suffered at the World Cup with England. Arsenal XI to face Chelsea – Metro prediction Arteta will be desperate to have Guimaraes fit to start for a huge derby in north London but with Myles Lewis-Skelly doing little wrong in there beside Declan Rice, he may opt for caution with the Brazilian. Christos Tzolis struggled against Aston Villa with Eberechi Eze coming onto replace him on the left. The former Crystal Palace star will hope he did enough to force his way into the team today. Kai Havertz has been preferred up top to Viktor Gyokeres and it’s difficult to see Arteta changing his mind today. Chelsea XI to face Arsenal – Metro prediction Much will depend on the fitness of Caicedo. If not available, Reece James may partner Romeo Lavia in midfield – excelling in that role against the Gunners last November. Elsewhere, it is already looking like a settled side. Arsenal vs Chelsea TV channel, live stream and kick-off time The Premier League match kicks off today (Sunday 6 September) with kick-off scheduled for 4:30pm. You can watch the match live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event with streaming also available through the Sky Go app and NOW TV for subscribers. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe (Picture: Getty) Xabi Alonso consulted Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe before sanctioning Chelsea’s bid for Roma midfielder Manu Kone, according to reports in France. Chelsea placed Kone on their list of possible midfield targets as Enzo Fernandez closed in on a move to Manchester City. Kone attracted interest from Premier League clubs after back-to-back impressive seasons in Italy and did his reputation no harm during the World Cup for France. It was reported on transfer deadline day that Chelsea were set to sign Kone, but the deal fell through and he remained at Serie A side Roma. Exclusive Premier League previews Get ahead of the start of the season with our weekly football newsletter. Sign up now for free. Chelsea also failed in a bid to sign Lamine Camara from Monaco but Fernandez was still allowed to join Man City in a deal worth £125m. Foot Mercato say Alonso, keen to bolster his midfield options ahead of Fernandez’s departure, consulted his former Real Madrid player Mbappe about his France teammate Kone. Mbappe gave Kone a glowing review and soon after Chelsea agreed a deal worth 70m euros (£60m), which was more than his expected asking price. Chelsea tried to sign Manu Kone from Roma (Picture: Getty) It is claimed Chelsea also agreed personal terms with Kone, who was keen to move to Stamford Bridge, before the deal collapses. Ultimately Roma blocked Kone from leaving as they could not find a suitable replacement, failing in their efforts to sign Youssouf Fofana from AC Milan and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerd from Marseille. The failure to sign Kone and Camara may leave Chelsea short in midfield this season, especially given Romeo Lavia’s long-term injury issues and Moises Caicedo’s recent setbacks. Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso (Picture: Getty) Chelsea sold Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City (Picture: Getty) Following his move to the Etihad Stadium, Fernandez said: ‘Manchester City are the most successful club in England in recent times. ‘Every player wants to be part of a club like this because everyone knows how well-run City are. ‘I could not be happier to be here, and I am ready for the challenge of helping City continue winning trophies. This is a club built for success. ‘If you look across the squad, City have quality in every area. I want to learn from my new teammates and become a better player. I pride myself on continually improving my game. ‘Anyone who’s worked with me will know how hard I train every single day and how much I put into matches. I give absolutely everything and I can promise Manchester City that will continue now I’m here. ‘I want to thank Hugo, Enzo, Khaldoon and everyone at City who has made this deal possible. I want to take the faith shown in me and repay it as soon as possible.’ Chelsea face Premier League champions Arsenal on Sunday after beating Fulham and Brighton in their first two games of the new season. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
Chelsea continued their perfect start under Xabi Alonso (Picture: Getty) Xabi Alonso says his Chelsea side will do ‘whatever it takes to win’ and will look different for their Premier League clash with Arsenal next Sunday. The Blues continued their perfect start to life under the Spaniard with an entertaining 4-3 win over Brighton at Stamford Bridge. The hosts raced into a three-goal lead after just 32 minutes through goals from Romeo Lavia, Pedro Neto and Joao Pedro, but, just like last week’s win against Fulham, allowed their opponents back into the game. Malick Yalcouye’s strike and an own goal from Joao Pedro either side of half-time brought Brighton back within one goal before Cole Palmer’s superb strike saw Chelsea eek out a narrow win. Exclusive Premier League previews Get ahead of the start of the season with our weekly football newsletter. Sign up now for free. Three wins from three marks a great start for Alonso, but his side were far from perfect, having just 26 per cent possession against Brighton and frequently carved open by Fabian Hurzeler’s side. Chelsea will face a huge test of their credentials next weekend at the Emirates against the defending champions Arsenal, but Alonso is confident that his side can evolve and stand up to the test. ‘I want to win and will whatever it takes to win,’ the Spaniard said in his post-match press conference. Chelsea beat Brighton to move third in the Premier League (Picture: AP) ‘Each game can be different so we need to prepare for the best. ‘We need to train for the best and be prepared for whatever scenario we have, so it’s not like this [performance] is going to be replicated against Arsenal. ‘Today it was a big challenge and a big test and next Sunday it’s going to be a big one but we can continue progressing on the good things and correct the other ones that we can do better.’ Alonso also pushed back against the notion that his side were complacent after going ahead, insisting: ‘No, I would say it is quite normal. @flemingben Are Xabi Alonso’s side ready to take on Arsenal? 🤔 #premierleague #chelsea #colepalmer ♬ original sound – Ben Fleming: Sports Journalist ‘It happens in many teams, other teams that they have already worked for and they are together and they have more games together. ‘Normally this idea, how to manage those moments is already more good. We are in this process. So I am sure that this result in the future we can manage it better because in the Premier League, even in half-time we were 3-1 and I said guys, 2-0 lead, with two goals lead in the Premier League, it is not done. ‘We need to still focus on playing, scoring goals, defending well and after we could have scored the fifth one and many things happened in the game.’ Cole Palmer scored the winner for Chelsea (Picture: Reuters) And on his side’s lack of possession against Brighton, he asserted: ‘No, you need to have context to every data for sure. ‘After 30 minutes we have scored [to make it] 3-0, probably in that moment we have played too much with the result instead of keep playing. ‘So the data is not important, it is how you play and what we can do better. But it is never that approach, I don’t say today we need to have 60 per cent or 20 per cent. ‘I never talk about those things, it is about how to prepare, how to be more competitive. But the good thing is that you need to adapt, even during the game there are different moments and some moments that we have done really, really well and other moments that we can do better.’ Chelsea currently sit third in the table, but could be leapfrogged by Arsenal should Mikel Arteta’s side beat Aston Villa on Monday night. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
Joao Pedro was Chelsea’s standout player against Brighton, according to Darren Bent (Picture: Sky Sports) Darren Bent picked out Joao Pedro for special praise following Chelsea’s 4-3 win over Brighton, claiming the forward was the best player on the pitch ‘by a distance’. Chelsea had looked to be cruising towards a comfortable victory as Romeo Lavia, Pedro Neto and Joao Pedro all got on the scoresheet inside the opening 32 minutes at Stamford Bridge. But the visitors pulled a goal back through Malick Yalcouye on the hour-mark before Joao Pedro directed the ball into his own net against his former club to further reduce the deficit in the 63rd minute. Xabi Alonso’s men rallied again, though, and a solo piece of brilliance from Cole Palmer restored the hosts’ two-goal advantage with 16 minutes remaining of normal time in west London. Exclusive Premier League previews Get ahead of the start of the season with our weekly football newsletter. Sign up now for free. Pascal Gross’ deflected strike deep into stoppage time ultimately proved a consolation for the travelling Seagulls, with Chelsea holding firm to maintain their 100 per cent record in the Premier League after two games. The result saw the Blues rise to third, behind newly promoted Hull City and top-of-the-table Manchester City on goal difference. Watching back Joao Pedro’s 32nd-minute strike in the Sky Sports studio, ex-England and Tottenham striker Bent said: ‘Really good finish. Joao Pedro shone at Stamford Bridge against his former club (Picture: AP) @flemingben Are Xabi Alonso’s side ready to take on Arsenal? 🤔 #premierleague #chelsea #colepalmer ♬ original sound – Ben Fleming: Sports Journalist ‘Morgan Rogers was at the heart of it, he starts it, then it’s Hato with a really good run. ‘It’s the first touch out of his feet and then back across the goalkeeper. ‘He was the best player on the pitch, Joao Pedro, by a distance. Martinez made his full Chelsea debut in the match (Picture: Getty) Palmer scored what proved to be the winner for the Blues (Picture: EPA) The touch out of his feet, opens up the whole goal, goes back across the goalkeeper… it’s a really, really good finish.’ On Joao Pedro’s goal, Bent continued: ‘Absolutely incredible. It’s Morgan Rogers and Joao Pedro involved. ‘It’s the little touches from Joao Pedro and when he drives into this position there’s only going to be one outcome. Joao Pedro has kicked off the new season in incredible form (Picture: Getty) {"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"Alonso speaks after whirlwind 4-3 win over Brighton","contentUrl":"https:\/\/videos.metro.co.uk\/video\/met\/2026\/08\/31\/8888547213964063520\/480x270_MP4_8888547213964063520.mp4","description":"The goals conceded and possession stats don't seem to irk the Chelsea boss as long as they're winning games.","duration":"T6M3S","height":270,"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/i.dailymail.com\/1s\/2026\/08\/31\/07\/110948211-0-image-a-9_1788159003578.jpg","uploadDate":"2026-08-31T07:50:09+0100","width":480} To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Up Next Previous Page Next Page window.addEventListener('metroVideo:relatedVideosCarouselLoaded', function(data) { if (typeof(data.detail) === 'undefined' || typeof(data.detail.carousel) === 'undefined' || typeof(data.detail.carousel.el_) === 'undefined') { return; } var player = data.detail.carousel.el_; var container = player.closest('.metro-video-player'); var placeholder = container.querySelector('.metro-video-player__up-next-placeholder'); if (placeholder) { container.removeChild(placeholder); container.classList.add('metro-video-player--related-videos-loaded'); } }); ‘He could lay it to the left but he doesn’t. The power and the accuracy he gets on it. ‘It’s a great run, the turn of pace, that little drive into space… he opens up his body and it’s fantastic finish. ‘[Bart] Verbruggen was absolutely nowhere near it. Fantastic finish.’ I
Premier League legend Alan Shearer (Picture: BBC) Alan Shearer has backed Arsenal to retain the Premier League trophy this season and says Chelsea will be their ‘closest challengers’. Chelsea maintained their perfect start to the season with a 4-3 win over Brighton on Sunday. The Blues, who beat Fulham 3-2 in their Premier League opener, raced into a 3-0 lead in the first half thanks to goals from Romeo Lavia, Pedro Neto and Joao Pedro. Malick Yalcouye pulled a goal back for Brighton before the visitors scored again thanks to an unfortunate own goal from their former striker Pedro. Exclusive Premier League previews Get ahead of the start of the season with our weekly football newsletter. Sign up now for free. The momentum was with the Seagulls with half an hour remaining but Cole Palmer settled the Chelsea nerves with his second goal of the campaign. Brighton scored a third deep into injury-time – Pascal Gross heading past new Chelsea No. 1 Emiliano Martinez – but the full-time whistle was blown seconds later. The victory means Chelsea are one of only four teams to win both of their first two Premier League games, although defending champions Arsenal can join that group when they face Aston Villa on Monday night. Chelsea beat Brighton at Stamford Bridge (Picture: Getty) Shearer insists Arsenal are the ‘team to beat’ in the Premier League but has backed Chelsea to mount a title challenge under Xabi Alonso. ‘Arsenal have had a brilliant summer and they’re going to be flying this season,’ Shearer said on The Rest is Football. ‘Without doubt they are the team to beat again in the Premier League.’ Discussing Chelsea’s exciting start to the season, Shearer added to Betfair: ‘Cole Palmer was absolutely outstanding in Chelsea’s opening game. @flemingben Are Xabi Alonso’s side ready to take on Arsenal? 🤔 #premierleague #chelsea #colepalmer ♬ original sound – Ben Fleming: Sports Journalist New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso (Picture: Getty) ‘We all knew the ability he has, but we didn’t quite see it as many times last season, whether it was injuries or whatever. ‘His start to the season and his performance was electric. The way he received the ball, how easy he made it look, how comfortable he was on the ball. ‘That was something for Chelsea fans to look forward to and for the rest of the league to fear. Arsenal are the defending Premier League champions (Picture: Getty) ‘If Chelsea are going to have a good season, there’s no doubt that he in particular will be key to that. ‘I also think he’s got his good mate Morgan Rogers alongside him, incredible ability in Jooo Pedro. If those three can click, then they will cause serious problems for the rest of the league. ‘From personal experience, the best partnerships I’ve always worked with just clicked like that, no work needed. Whether it was Teddy Sheringham, Les Ferdinand, or Chris Sutton, those just happened like that. ‘Worryingly for the rest of the league, it looks as if those three have just clicked straight away. ‘It’s no surprise really because of the freedom that Rogers and Palmer will have, and then with the ability that Pedro has. ‘You’ve got three wonderful footballers there, three very technically gifted players in terms of how they receive the ball, whether it’s with their backs to goal, on the half turn, they’re three very technically gifted players. ‘Even before the ball was kicked for Chelsea, I had them in second position. No European football will be a bonus for them in terms of getting players right and not playing in midweek so many times. ‘So, for me, yes, I think Chelsea will be the closest challenge to Arsenal.’ For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
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