The Belgian international hadn’t featured for the Blues since last month’s Premier League away trip to Arsenal and his most recent start had come in the 2-2 draw with Bournemouth in January.

However, he returned from injury to be included in Enzo Maresca’s starting line-up for Saturday’s 1-0 win over Everton at Stamford Bridge, and couldn’t be happier to be playing his part for the Blues again.

‘I had a lot of fun just being back with the team and helping them to get a big win in an important moment for the team and the club,’ said Lavia.

‘It was a real pleasure on Saturday so I’m really happy and hopefully I can carry on helping the team.’

The 21-year-old’s return boosts Maresca’s midfield options, alongside the likes of Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez, who also both featured against the Toffees, and Lavia believes the trio can complement each other well in the line-up.

‘We’re all great players so we know how to play together and we try as much as possible to help each other with our own qualities to help the team as much as we can. So it’s a pleasure to play alongside them.’

Of course, Romeo’s return was made all the sweeter by the fact we secured all three points, keeping us in the qualification places for next season’s UEFA Champions League with four Premier League fixtures remaining.

‘It was a great result, a great performance as well,’ he continued. ‘I think we had a good rhythm throughout the game. It’s just what we’ve been practicing so it’s good to see it come off very well.

‘We’re just happy and just taking it game-by-game. So now we enjoy and then we start again to prepare for the next game.

‘We know every team’s got something to fight for so it is just about being strong mentally, sticking together and then fighting to get the win.’