‘Wow’: Coach says Southampton have signed player with ‘enormous’ talent

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Belgium U19 coach Wesley Sonck admits he was blown away by Romeo Lavia’s debut Premier League performance during Southampton’s 4-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, speaking to Sporza. 

Positives were certainly in short supply for Ralph Hasenhuttl in North London.

But amid the wreckage of a four-goal, opening weekend defeat – Mohamed Salisu and co left dizzied and dazed by Dejan Kulusevski’s spellbinding footwork – £14 million summer signing Romeo Lavia emerged from the rubble with his reputation enhanced. 

Casual observers would never have believed Lavia had never before played a Premier League game. Or, for that matter, that the Brussels-born wonderkid only celebrated his 18th birthday in January.

Lavia looked like a deep-lying playmaker far beyond his tender years up against Rodrigo Bentancur and co; His composure in possession and expert decision-making offering a reminder as to why the teenager was so highly rated at Manchester City. 

Romeo Lavia already looks a bargain for Southampton

Sonck, Lavia’s coach at international level, is no stranger to the former Anderlecht starlet’s ‘enormous footballing qualities’. But even he didn’t expect to see Lavia hold his own against some of the finest players in the country. Certainly not just weeks into his Southampton career. 

“I already knew that Romeo had enormous footballing qualities. I didn’t know that he could also do that at Premier League level. What he showed against Tottenham was really… wow,” Sonck smiles.

“He has a very interesting profile for the position as a defensive midfielder. Romeo is a very calm boy.

“Apparently, he decided for himself – and probably with his entourage – that it would be better for him to leave City.” 

If Lavia opted to stay at the Etihad Stadium, he would have had Ilkay Gundogan, Kalvin Phillips and Rodri for competition. With all due respect to Ibrahima Diallo and Oriol Romeu, first-team opportunities will certainly be easier to come by on the South Coast. 

According to Fabrizio Romano, Man City have inserted a £40 million buy-back clause into Lavia’s contract. The 18-year-old might not have been ready for life in City’s sky blue just yet, but it could be a different story a couple of seasons down the line.