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According to a post shared by Fabrizio Romano on Friday, October 31, 2026, Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso has praised Chelsea midfielder Romeo Lavia following an impressive performance that attracted the attention of the Spanish tactician.
Alonso, who previously enjoyed a successful career as a central midfielder, assessed Lavia's performance from the perspective of someone familiar with the demands of playing in the middle of the pitch. He highlighted the Belgian international's intelligent decision-making, movement, competitiveness and overall contribution to his team's performance.
The Real Madrid manager was particularly impressed by how effectively the Chelsea midfielder handled his responsibilities throughout the encounter, describing his display as one of exceptional quality.
Expressing his admiration, Alonso stated: "From a midfielder's point of view, it has been a top, top, top performance."
He further explained that Lavia demonstrated excellent awareness and made several appropriate decisions during the match, highlighting the midfielder's ability to combine technical quality with physical determination.
"Lavia did so many things right. He's taken many right decisions. He was dynamic, competitive," he added.
Alonso's assessment reflects the qualities the Chelsea midfielder displayed during the encounter, particularly his ability to remain composed under pressure while contributing to the team's overall midfield performance.
For a central midfielder, maintaining positional awareness, making quick decisions and competing effectively for possession are important responsibilities. Lavia's performance appeared to demonstrate these qualities, earning recognition from a manager who understands the technical and tactical demands of the position.
His ability to combine mobility with intelligent positioning also attracted attention, as midfielders are often required to support defensive operations while helping their teams maintain possession and create attacking opportunities.
Meanwhile, Alonso's comments have added to the recognition surrounding Lavia's individual performance, particularly given the former midfielder's experience at the highest level of European football.
The Belgian has continued to attract attention for his technical abilities and understanding of midfield responsibilities. His latest display provided another opportunity to demonstrate his qualities, with Alonso's assessment highlighting the importance of discipline, energy and intelligent decision-making in modern football.
The praise also underlines the impression Lavia made during the match, with Alonso identifying several aspects of his performance that stood out from a midfield perspective.