Romeo Lavia reveals why he joined Chelsea over Liverpool

Romeo Lavia has explained that he wanted to join Chelsea over Liverpool last summer because he considered the Blues the "one that is growing".

Liverpool were gazumped by Chelsea in their pursuit of Moises Caicedo last summer, despite having a British record offer accepted by Brighton & Hove Albion. Four days later, they saw Lavia make the same choice after the Blues offered more to meet Southampton's asking price.

Lavia, who was targeted by Liverpool as a replacement for Fabinho, had an injury-blighted first season at Stamford Bridge but is expected to become a star of the future. He insists that, even with the strong interest from Liverpool, his desire was always to join Chelsea.

"It's all about what you read in the media. I had to read a couple as well and sometimes [journalists] knew more than me apparently," the Belgian told The Athletic.

"Listen, when I heard about Chelsea and it was from a long time ago before everything started, it was a no-brainer. Some stuff I was reading, I'm not going to say it was fake but my decision was Chelsea…the interest from Liverpool was there but, in my head, I wanted to play for Chelsea."

Lavia said of his decision: "If you look at the teams, Chelsea is the one that is growing. Even though the results are not going like the other teams, you can see the bigger picture.

"When I saw a group of young and talented players that at their previous clubs had been the best players, it can only go well. Now I'm here, I realise it's true."

"We are building something amazing. Everyone at the club can feel it, not just the players. Manchester City and all the teams that have been successful, they needed years to do that. I'm not saying we need the same years but it is not going to take two weeks. The confidence is there and then it's about not looking at the other teams, but focusing on ourselves."

Even with the capture of Wataru Endo last summer, Liverpool are still to find their long-term 'number six'. There was hope that it might be Spain international Martin Zubimendi. But he has rebuffed advances to stay with Real Sociedad after the Reds had initially been optimistic over a deal.

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