Pep Guardiola has revealed what he said to Romeo Lavia at full-time after Manchester City’s 4-1 win against Southampton on Saturday.
City kept the pressure up on Premier League leaders Arsenal with a comfortable win at St Mary’s, with Erling Haaland (twice), Jack Grealish and Julian Alvarez all getting on the scoresheet.
Haaland’s spectacular scissor kick was his 30th Premier League goal in just 27 matches, while Kevin de Bruyne’s assist for City’s opener was his 100th in the division.
Given the milestones reached by the pair, one might have expected Guardiola to rush over to celebrate with them at full-time.
While the manager did congratulate his star duo, he appeared rather more keen to speak to Southampton and former City midfielder, Romeo Lavia.
Lavia joined City in 2020 from the youth set up at Belgian side Anderlecht, and after rising through the ranks at the City Football Academy, made his senior debut in 2021 at just 17 years old.
It quickly became clear to staff at City that the midfielder was ready for regular first team football, but with City already having Rodri in his position, that wasn’t going to happen at the Etihad Stadium.
Last summer City decided to sell Lavia to Southampton, a club renowned for developing young talents. The deal could be worth up to £14m, and includes a buy-back clause in the region of £40m, should City wish to re-sign the 19-year-old.
What did Guardiola say?
After the match, Guardiola explained what he said to the youngster at the full-time whistle.
“I said [to him], 17 or 18 years-old and how many minutes he’s already played in the Premier League?!,” Guardiola said.
“As a holding midfielder, playing alongside experienced played like [James] Ward-Prowse, I’m pretty sure it will help him.
“I’m really pleased. The problem was: Ok, stay, not play, an incredible opportunity in the Premier League at Southampton, who work really well with the academy. What an opportunity! To play week in, week out, for his experience, amazing!”
Towards the end of August there were reports that Chelsea were interested in signing Lavia just a couple of months after he had joined Southampton, such was the way he impressed in his first few Premier League outings.
In recent months it’s been muted that City could look to bring Lavia back ‘home’, particularly given the struggles of Kalvin Phillips.
With City now using a midfield double pivot when in possession, it’s conceivable that Guardiola could look to bring Lavia in to pay alongside Rodri.
But whether City make a move or not, there promises to be no shortage of suitors for the young Belgian star this summer.
