Chelsea star wants Premier League to copy Club World Cup concept despite mocking

The Club World Cup has been introducing players to huge fanfare before matches and Chelsea star Romeo Lavia would love to see the Premier League copy the concept
Romeo Lavia reckons the Premier League should bring in the Club World Cup style player introductions before every game. The FIFA tournament has made a big thing of players taking it in turns to be introduced to the crowd before walking out onto the pitch amid big fanfare pre-match.
It has been one of the most eye-catching aspects of the new tournament in the United States and has attracted a lot of mickey-taking, while some of the players have looked uncomfortable at the showbiz-style walk-on.
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But Lavia says he likes it and believes the Premier League could learn a few lessons from the tournament in the United States. Chelsea midfielder Lavia said: 'It's something special and new for us. It's a first for us. I enjoyed it. Why not bring it to the Premier League?
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'I mean, it's a bit of a showbiz thing, isn't it? I quite like it. The only difference is if we did it in the Premier League, we might get a bit cold! Because once you're out there, you have to wait for maybe the other players. But apart from that, it was good. I guess we always learn new things from international tournaments and that's what makes it special.'
The Premier League already has a line-up before each game for the TV cameras but the Club World Cup has made even more of a feature of it as well as using graphics on the big screens after each VAR decision and offside check.
Despite the criticism and fans staying away from some games, Lavia says Chelsea have enjoyed the tournament so far and they have watched other games from the training base.
He said: 'Even before arriving here, we understood how big this competition was. It's great to see. We've watched some of the other Club World Cup games on TV as well. We're happy to be here. They are all great games and at a good level. And I think every team has got different qualities because they're coming from a different environment. So it's nice to watch because you don't get to see all these teams often.'
Lavia has been plagued by injury since his arrival at Chelsea and played for 45 minutes in Atlanta in their 2-0 win over Los Angeles FC before being subbed which was pre-arranged. He is set to start against Flamengo on Friday.
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However, after a stop-start time at Chelsea, he believes he is finally ready for lift-off two years after joining the club in a £53m move from Southampton. And he believes the Club World Cup is good for building up team understanding.
Lavia added: 'It's what is needed for the club of this level, so it's all healthy. We all have great connections together. It's just about doing our best every day, and then the manager must decide who he wants to pick, but all the players are going to be ready. I feel very good, confident in my body and in what we can achieve as a team as well. I think that's what we are all working towards. I am not thinking too far ahead.
'It's just about taking each game as it comes and then doing everything possible to stay fit, and playing as many games as possible. I think the biggest 'credit' a footballer can have is to be available. It's definitely something I'm aware of. So I do everything possible to stay fit. Honestly, all the injuries I have had before, I just want to put them behind me and look forward to the future feeling good.'

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