Chelsea midfielder Romeo Lavia is feeling the rewards of his hard work, describing himself as "free" and eager to "change the narrative" around his career. Now 22, the Belgian is on the verge of his longest run in the Chelsea starting XI. If he plays the full 90 minutes against Brentford on Friday, he will surpass his previous best of 518 minutes without injury, which included pre-season matches. Lavia's journey at Chelsea has been anything but straightforward. He made just one appearance in his first season due to a serious hamstring injury. His second campaign was also marred by setbacks, with him missing 33 games—down from 42 the previous season. However, last season saw a significant improvement in his availability, as he played in about half of Chelsea's matches. This season, he has remained injury-free throughout pre-season and the opening weeks of the campaign. "There is so much that goes on behind the scenes," Lavia told BBC Sport, explaining that he has a checklist to ensure he is in the best condition for each match. "It's a big process, but we're doing well at the moment." Overcoming the mental challenges of repeated setbacks has been crucial for him. Manager Xabi Alonso has encouraged Lavia to push through his "mental block" of completing 90 minutes, as seen in a pre-season match against AC Milan in August. "I've learned you can always go further than you think you can," Lavia said. "You can always push your limits, especially when you feel like everything is going against you." He credits the support of teammates, staff, and those close to him for helping him focus on what he can control. Lavia is now becoming a vital part of the team, playing alongside captain Reece James, who also faced injury challenges early in his career. With Moises Caicedo limited to just 14 minutes this season and Enzo Fernandez moving to Manchester City, Lavia's role has grown significantly. Chelsea's attacking line has also seen a boost with the arrival of Morgan Rogers, who signed for a club-record £117m from Aston Villa. Alongside Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro, the team has already scored 18 goals in six matches, delighting fans and neutrals alike. Lavia is excited about the chemistry in the front line, saying it makes his job as a midfielder easier. However, he remains focused on the team's development, emphasizing the need to "be realistic" about becoming the team everyone believes they can be. After scoring his first Chelsea goal in a 4-3 win against Brighton, Lavia described the moment as emotional and a reward for all his hard work.