Belgium may have lost their second game under Mark van Bommel, but the media saw positives in the performance, especially from one player in particular. For a long time now Belgian fans and media have been waiting to get Romeo Lavia fully inserted into the national team. Against France, he showed why. After coming off the bench against Italy, the Chelsea midfielder was given a start against France and was one of the better players on the pitch.

Central midfield is an area that Belgium are hoping to solidify over the coming months. With Amadou Onana getting injured and others not able to convince in that position, the hope has been that Chelsea’s Lavia will emerge as a solution for the future. After his performance against France yesterday evening, that feeling has only solidified further.

Yet injuries are the problem that Lavia has faced throughout his young career so far. Last season he played 24 games for Chelsea, the most since his move from Southampton in the summer of 2023. So far this season, he has started all four of his Premier League games for Chelsea, scoring one goal, while also playing in the EFL Cup. A full uninterrupted season would be a real boost for the 22-year-old. Belgium will also benefit, and are hoping that he will remain injury free and cement his place as a regular for the Red Devils in the run up to Euro 2028.