David Luiz

[Jase 43,479]

As much as Luiz has done well in the pivot so far, we have gotta remember that he has played there only against Monterrey and Villa, no disrespect to them. They are not the toughest of oppositions and were pretty poor on the day we played them. No doubt Luiz has shown positives playing in that role but he needs to be tested against better quality oppositions first before we can officially say 'Luiz CAN play in the pivot'.

[TorontoChelsea 4,064]

+1

But if Benitez/the Chelsea board is planning on moving Luiz to the holding role gradually then playing him there in games like this is a good way to improve him. I'm sure Benitez will go over the tapes with Luiz, analyze everything he did and point out everything he did wrong, how it can be fixed, etc.

I actually think he did a decent job of being more conservative with his play after Ramires came on. He just let everyone ahead of him run riot on Villa's defence and he set the tempo of the game pretty well.

Absolutely agree with that. I think it was just because at that point, we were officially killing them and Luiz already had a goal and a lot of attack so he wanted all the other Brazilians to get forward and get their shots in Whatever it was, he was definitely a lot more subdued and conservative. I think before the Lampard/Ramires switch was made Luiz's passing percentage was around 79%. After that, I don't think he tried a single long ball and he ended up with I think 86% passing.

[Corner 456]

Absolutely agree with that. I think it was just because at that point, we were officially killing them and Luiz already had a goal and a lot of attack so he wanted all the other Brazilians to get forward and get their shots in Whatever it was, he was definitely a lot more subdued and conservative. I think before the Lampard/Ramires switch was made Luiz's passing percentage was around 79%. After that, I don't think he tried a single long ball and he ended up with I think 86% passing.

You're probably right. If so, it was nice of him. I like how much he cares about his teammates (a very under-rated quality in players).

He may have his faults, but I would miss him a lot if we were to sell him. I'm sure most Chelsea fans would too. When he was linked with Barca during the summer, even though I knew there was no shred of truth in it, I was still terrified we would sell him.

[OneMoSalah 8,885]

Luiz was good in the pivot today, but he won't be used there the whole time. I don't think hes disciplined enough to play there against the bigger teams so to speak but he can do a job against the smaller clubs.

[Jype 6,398]

Seven clean sheets in the league so far, Luiz has played 90 minutes in every single one of them. Bad at defending?

[Tomo 21,751]

Seven clean sheets in the league so far, Luiz has played 90 minutes in every single one of them. Bad at defending?

All the defensive stats are in his favour (compared to what they are when he doesn't play).

Being a little bit reckless on occasion's and being a full blown liability are two completely different things, Bramble, Ben Haim, they are liability's, Luiz is far from that.

[Milan 17,955]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6LTLwNTVuQ

Luiz is praying for Lucas to score the penalty. Beautiful! They are very good friends and he wanted him to score.

[Jase 43,479]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6LTLwNTVuQ

Luiz is praying for Lucas to score the penalty. Beautiful! They are very good friends and he wanted him to score.

Think everyone wanted him to score. Heck, even John Gregory - former Aston Villa manager - said he wanted him to score in commentary.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

Just as I said, against smaller teams, mikel is not needed for protection. So that we can blow them away. But against top/physical sides, mikel would be needed for cover.

[mediator 2,026]

Just as I said, against smaller teams, mikel is not needed for protection. So that we can blow them away. But against top/physical sides, mikel would be needed for cover.

in that case, we could use the mikel + luiz partnership. We can also imagine a lot of possibilities with rambo, kdb, oscar, lampard

It's better having a lot of options than none.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

in that case, we could use the mikel + luiz partnership. We can also imagine a lot of possibilities with rambo, kdb, oscar, lampard

It's better having a lot of options than none.

Why not?? It Would please me if we find out our pivot problems can be solved with the players we have already.

[OneMoSalah 8,885]

Mikel is still the best player for the pivot guys.. Luiz has been good but hes no Mikel. Mikel's positioning is much better as is his tactical awareness

[kellzfresh 7,229]

Mikel is still the best player for the pivot guys.. Luiz has been good but hes no Mikel. Mikel's positioning is much better as is his tactical awareness

Very true, mikel is the best dm. But we don't need a dm against small teams so that we can score more. Against the manutd's and physical westhams then mikel is vital.

[Land 331]

I haven't missed mikel at all.

[DDA 9,925]

Luiz against Villa was collosal. Excellent performance that left me feelig rather smug after soo many on this forum said he couldnt and wouldnt ever play there. Yes it was against an awfully inexperienced Villa side but he has everything you could ask for from a top class DM.. he can pass, tackle, dribble past players, head with height, score goals and create that a little bit of magic from deep. Say no more.