Romeo Lavia potential shirt numbers at Chelsea
- Romeo Lavia wants to join Chelsea
- Blues currently working on deal with Southampton
- His current shirt number is free at Stamford Bridge
What is it about Chelsea? The allure of London, the big bucks, or the Mauricio Pochettino project? Perhaps it's a combination of factors, but everybody wants to play for Chelsea.
Despite the misery of 2022/23, the Blues have continued to attract stars to Stamford Bridge in a bid to ignite Pochettino's project from the off. A primary target this summer was to sign a midfielder capable of yanging - certainly not a word - Enzo Fernandez's yin.
It may have taken another British record fee, but Chelsea will feel they've got their man in Moises Caicedo. Oh, and just in case the Ecuadorian wasn't enough, they're only closing in on another sought-after talent in Romeo Lavia as well.
90min understands that Lavia has chosen Chelsea as his next destination despite interest from Liverpool - those poor folk - and a deal is expected to be reached with Southampton soon. The young midfielder's immediate outlook in Pochettino's midfield isn't exactly clear, nor is the squad number he could pick once his arrival is confirmed.
Here are Lavia's options.
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Romeo Lavia shirt number history
Team/Nation | Squad number |
|---|---|
Southampton | 45 |
Southampton B | 8 |
Man City | 90 |
Man City Under-18 | 6 |
Man City Under-19 | 6 |
Man City Under-23 | 6, 90 |
Belgium | 18 |
Belgium Under-21 | 23 |
The 19-year-old has only enjoyed a single season of senior top-flight football, and he donned 45 for Southampton in the Premier League last season.
His squad number as an academy graduate at Man City was 90, and he primarily wore either 6 or 8 for the club's youth teams.
Lavia's rise last season saw him earn his maiden call-up to the Belgian national team and he wore 18 on his sole cap.
Chelsea available shirt numbers
While 4 is available, Caicedo is expected to stick with the 25 shirt he wore for Brighton. As for Lavia, he could go bold and opt for #, but he might also fancy continuing with the 45 shirt.
There are several other possibilities for the 19-year-old, with Chelsea currently boasting vacancies for the 12, 22, 28 and 30 shirts. The lack of enticing options means it wouldn't be a surprise if Lavia sticks with 45.
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On this week's edition of Talking Transfers, part of the 90min podcast network, Scott Saunders is joined by Toby Cudworth, Graeme Bailey and Sean Walsh to discuss the ever-changing Moises Caicedo saga, Harry Kane's move to Bayern Munich and more!
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