Romeo Lavia has reportedly been asked to play for Belgium’s Under-21s this summer at the European Championship rather than for the senior team.
The 19-year-old Southampton midfielder made his debut for Domenico Tedesco’s Red Devils in March, coming on as a substitute during a friendly win over Germany.
Lavia has been one of the standout teenagers in the Premier League this season despite getting relegated with Saints, making 34 appearances during his first season as a senior professional.
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He’s now being tipped with a move away from the south coast this summer, but before then, Tedesco has reportedly asked Lavia to consider building his experience by playing at the U21 EUROs taking place in Romania and Georgia across June and July.
That’s according to Het Nieuwsblad, who report that the national team coach believes that a youth European Championship is more useful for the development of Lavia than sitting on the bench in two EURO 2024 qualifying matches with the senior team against Austria and Estonia.
Lavia has reportedly not yet made up his mind over his plans this summer, with the effects of a long season taking their toll on his body and the teenager needing some time off before returning to the game.
Belgium’s Young Devils have been drawn in a group with the Netherlands, Portugal and Georgia and could get themselves a ticket to the Olympic Games in Paris if they finish in the top three.
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