David Luiz

[Madmax 9,219]

Good writeup, but people are mostly missing one important variable here: Brazil.

If David ends up playing regularly in the middle for Chelsea he'd very likely lose his starting stop for Brazil. In other words, he might hand in his transfer request if this is done one-sided: by chelsea alone. The way to go about this, if the intent is to *move* david into a DM role, is to include both David and Scolari in the decision making. If the idea is to have him as a DM cover, then it's all good as the flexibility would be very welcome by Scolari as well.

I know Chelsea wouldn't care about what Brazil want or need, but they could lose the player in teh process, especially with the WC coming in 2 years time and in Brazilian soil.

BTW, long ball passing is underrated around here. These passes naturally stretch the opponent, because it keeps their defense line in check at all times.

As things stand, does Scolari consider him first choice at CB?

[The only place to be 11,313]

Good writeup, but people are mostly missing one important variable here: Brazil.

If David ends up playing regularly in the middle for Chelsea he'd very likely lose his starting stop for Brazil. In other words, he might hand in his transfer request if this is done one-sided: by chelsea alone. The way to go about this, if the intent is to *move* david into a DM role, is to include both David and Scolari in the decision making. If the idea is to have him as a DM cover, then it's all good as the flexibility would be very welcome by Scolari as well.

I know Chelsea wouldn't care about what Brazil want or need, but they could lose the player in teh process, especially with the WC coming in 2 years time and in Brazilian soil.

BTW, long ball passing is underrated around here. These passes naturally stretch the opponent, because it keeps their defense line in check at all times.

Regarding the Brazil thing, first we should remember it's very, very early days. But I have three thoughts about it.

1. There's no reason a player can't play two positions in two sides.

2. If he actually moves there permanently for us, then he will obviously be doing well. In that case there's no reason he couldn't play that position for Brazil.

3. Fuck'em. We pay his wages so he'll play where we tell him. If he doesn't like that he can fuck off.

Marcotti has echoed most of my points though. Weak opposition and enough mistakes to hold off on making anything permanent, but also enough good things to try him again maybe not in the Final, but possibly against Leeds and then Villa (almost the ideal learning curve).

[robsblubot 3,545]

Regarding the Brazil thing, first we should remember it's very, very early days. But I have three thoughts about it.

1. There's no reason a player can't play two positions in two sides.

2. If he actually moves there permanently for us, then he will obviously be doing well. In that case there's no reason he couldn't play that position for Brazil.

3. Fuck'em. We pay his wages so he'll play where we tell him. If he doesn't like that he can fuck off.

Marcotti has echoed most of my points though. Weak opposition and enough mistakes to hold off on making anything permanent, but also enough good things to try him again maybe not in the Final, but possibly against Leeds and then Villa (almost the ideal learning curve).

I can relate as I don't like the way the football federations use and abuse players and their clubs, in the name of their respective countries (it's really about money though).

However, like I said, if Luiz isn't OK with the change, and the change is of the permanent kind, he may just hand in his transfer request. Many thought he would be fine as a right-back and he pretty much said 'no' and that was the end of it. The reason he said no was because Brazil had Dani Alves and Maicon for right-back.

The writeup also points out one of the key limitations of our current DMs, something we've missed on the Mickel thread: long balls.

madmax, yes, David has been a starter for Brazil and doing a great job as a defender playing alongside Thiago Silva. Thiago is more composed and David aggressive, which makes them an interesting pair (akin to David Terry IMO). Scolari has not yet called up the players, but it is to be expected David and Silva pairing will be maintained.

[Kieran. 6,317]

I thought he was average, but he did decent for his first start there. I'd like to see him there a few more times.

[zolayes 14,489]

I thought he was average, but he did decent for his first start there. I'd like to see him there a few more times.

I thought he was MUCH better than average . Would certainly see him as an option there when JT is back

[Kieran. 6,317]

I thought he was MUCH better than average . Would certainly see him as an option there when JT is back

Granted I was watching very groggily...it was 5:30 AM here when the match started.

[zolayes 14,489]

Granted I was watching very groggily...it was 5:30 AM here when the match started.

Luiz is the the white guy with long hair....not to be mistaken for Torres or Mikel

[TorontoChelsea 4,064]

I thought he was average, but he did decent for his first start there. I'd like to see him there a few more times.

I thought he was better than average but...my worry with him in midfield is positioning (the same problems he has at defence) and while I think he's fine in the midfield for teams like Leeds and Norwich and so on, do you want him marking players like Silva or Cazorla or Rooney? His lack of positional awareness/tendency to fall asleep will be a problem anywhere he plays.

[Henrique 9,133]

Good writeup, but people are mostly missing one important variable here: Brazil.

If David ends up playing regularly in the middle for Chelsea he'd very likely lose his starting stop for Brazil. In other words, he might hand in his transfer request if this is done one-sided: by chelsea alone. The way to go about this, if the intent is to *move* david into a DM role, is to include both David and Scolari in the decision making. If the idea is to have him as a DM cover, then it's all good as the flexibility would be very welcome by Scolari as well.

I know Chelsea wouldn't care about what Brazil want or need, but they could lose the player in teh process, especially with the WC coming in 2 years time and in Brazilian soil.

BTW, long ball passing is underrated around here. These passes naturally stretch the opponent, because it keeps their defense line in check at all times.

lol

I'm sure David is not the kind o player that would request a transfer because of this.

[zolayes 14,489]

I thought he was better than average but...my worry with him in midfield is positioning (the same problems he has at defence) and while I think he's fine in the midfield for teams like Leeds and Norwich and so on, do you want him marking players like Silva or Cazorla or Rooney? His lack of positional awareness/tendency to fall asleep will be a problem anywhere he plays.

swings and roundabouts ...you gain from his attacking ..possibly suffer from his defence ,,,,but Romeu injured ,,,Mikel suspended then at ACON

maybe something to live with short term

[robsblubot 3,545]

lol

I'm sure David is not the kind o player that would request a transfer because of this.

You know he conditioned his signing with Chelsea not to play as a right back? He did play as a right-back many times when in Portugal, and sure enough not for Chelsea--it is always Iva who is moved to the right... just saying...

Yeah, because losing a spot in the national team for not only the world cup, but one played on home soil ins't a big thing? Honestly, seen players hand in transfer requests for a lot less.

[Waterfall 893]

Do you also happen to realize that in his most recent interview he said he would play absolutely anywhere?

Even if he's used more often at DM, he'll walk into the Brazil side because they' got no better option than him at CB outside Thiago Silva

[robsblubot 3,545]

Do you also happen to realize that in his most recent interview he said he would play absolutely anywhere?

Even if he's used more often at DM, he'll walk into the Brazil side because they' got no better option than him at CB outside Thiago Silva

Walk into the brazil side? Are you kidding me? If he does not play as a CB regularly he'd not even be considered for the position. Perhaps not even getting a call up..

Besides, the WC is over a year away and some other players will come into the spotlight. Watch Dede CB from Vasco btw. Has been called up a bunch of times already.

[Henrique 9,133]

Walk into the brazil side? Are you kidding me? If he does not play as a CB regularly he'd not even be considered for the position. Perhaps not even getting a call up..

Besides, the WC is over a year away and some other players will come into the spotlight. Watch Dede CB from Vasco btw. Has been called up a bunch of times already.

Nah, Scolari will use Luiz as a CB, not matter he positiont he plays for Chelsea. We have many cases in the past where players were playing as DM in their clubs and as a CB in NT, just like Edmilson, that used to play as a DM in many ocasions in europeans clubs, but was a CB in 2002 WC, when Scolari was the manager.

Mascherano play some games as a CB for Barcelona, but in Argentina he is not even considered for that position.

I really dont know what you are talking about, dude, this talk about trasnfer resquest is really nonsense.

[Spike 12,049]

And you do realise if he does play really well in Midfield there is nothing stopping Scolari from playing him there for Brasil too?

There is no law that he has to play CB for Brasil.

[BlueSunshine 672]

David's individual highlights vs Monterrey (not my video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=s2llvRY1zAE

[robsblubot 3,545]

And you do realise if he does play really well in Midfield there is nothing stopping Scolari from playing him there for Brasil too?

There is no law that he has to play CB for Brasil.

Agreed, there isn't. If he did well in the midfield he could be employed in the midfield by scolari no doubt. as a DM he'd have competition from Sandro and Lucas at the moment. So, certainly doable. Now, for the other midfield positions he could end up easily being 3rd or 4th as there are a lot of (good) options.

David is "comfortable on the ball" as the English say, but to Brazilians it just means he's good. As in, if a player is not "comfortable on the ball" he just isn't good enough. So, while he is skillful for a tall and aggressive defender, he'd be average, or perhaps subpar for other positions in the team. I think he fully realizes this, or at least his agent does.

taped the game and will "tape" the Sunday one too... ok, maybe wake up at 6am so I can skip through half time.

Darn feel guilty talking about Brazil and David too much (since this is about Chelsea anyway) , but I really believe this guy could become a top top defender for both. One thing that worries me is this hot seat manager situation. How can these young players develop without some stability and actual coaching?

[Rmpr 8,977]

I thought he was better than average but...my worry with him in midfield is positioning (the same problems he has at defence) and while I think he's fine in the midfield for teams like Leeds and Norwich and so on, do you want him marking players like Silva or Cazorla or Rooney? His lack of positional awareness/tendency to fall asleep will be a problem anywhere he plays.

Yes, but this is not FIFA. You dont have a perfect 11 that will make you win every game.

Luiz will play as DM on the games his style (qualities and flaws) fits. As you posted, he will play against weak oppositions, when we have to attack most of the time.

David wont be starting against Manure or ManCity, we will leave it to Mikel.