David Luiz

[robsblubot 3,595]

When I say it, I get stick for it but when some journo writes it, he's spot on!

Benitez, "Oi Luiz! Could you refrain from making forward runs a bit? Especially when your DM and/or FBs are not behind you."

Luiz, "Sure boss!"

Done!

Seriously, players improve as they play and gain experience. Managers and coaches can speed up or slow down their development, but it's a natural process. While Benitez must be given credit for it, one cannot say it was *because* of Benitez.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Benitez, "Oi Luiz! Could you refrain from making forward runs a bit? Especially when your DM and/or FBs are not behind you."

Luiz, "Sure boss!"

Done!

Seriously, players improve as they play and gain experience. Managers and coaches can speed up or slow down their development, but it's a natural process. While Benitez must be given credit for it, one cannot say it was *because* of Benitez.

You can when that same player has been managed by three different managers previously at Chelsea and did not show any signs of improvement back then. I hate Benitez as much as the next Chelsea fan, but there is no point to go out of our way to discredit what he's managed to do here.

[robsblubot 3,595]

You can when that same player has been managed by three different managers previously at Chelsea and did not show any signs of improvement back then. I hate Benitez as much as the next Chelsea fan, but there is no point to go out of our way to discredit what he's managed to do here.

How do you know they all actually instructed Luiz to refrain from making too many forward runs?

TBH, I find this idea that being "composed" is so difficult and needs so much work a bit silly. David *can* make forward runs because he has the quality to do that. Most other defenders don't have such quality and some are even extremely poor on the ball (that's a bad player in my book). Whether he makes the runs and how often he makes them is all up to the manager otherwise David would lose his starting spot, would he not? Players are released for less than explicit disobeying instructions from their managers. I've heard Luiz saying managers encouraged him to make the runs--not surprising.

Now, if we are going to talk about his real deficiencies, which are heading and positioning; and defenders work on their positioning all their careers. Frankly, havne't noticed any crazy improvement in either one. Luiz remains the same excellent player he was since his first game for Chelsea, with his immense virtues (mental and technical) as well as his deficiencies. Of course, that's just my humble opinion.

[The Skipper 20,609]

How do you know they all actually instructed Luiz to refrain from making too many forward runs?

TBH, I find this idea that being "composed" is so difficult and needs so much work a bit silly. David *can* make forward runs because he has the quality to do that. Most other defenders don't have such quality and some are even extremely poor on the ball (that's a bad player in my book). Whether he makes the runs and how often he makes them is all up to the manager otherwise David would lose his starting spot, would he not? Players are released for less than explicit disobeying instructions from their managers. I've heard Luiz saying managers encouraged him to make the runs--not surprising.

Now, if we are going to talk about his real deficiencies, which are heading and positioning; and defenders work on their positioning all their careers. Frankly, havne't noticed any crazy improvement in either one. Luiz remains the same excellent player he was since his first game for Chelsea, with his immense virtues (mental and technical) as well as his deficiencies. Of course, that's just my humble opinion.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

How do you know they all actually instructed Luiz to refrain from making too many forward runs?

TBH, I find this idea that being "composed" is so difficult and needs so much work a bit silly. David *can* make forward runs because he has the quality to do that. Most other defenders don't have such quality and some are even extremely poor on the ball (that's a bad player in my book). Whether he makes the runs and how often he makes them is all up to the manager otherwise David would lose his starting spot, would he not? Players are released for less than explicit disobeying instructions from their managers. I've heard Luiz saying managers encouraged him to make the runs--not surprising.

Now, if we are going to talk about his real deficiencies, which are heading and positioning; and defenders work on their positioning all their careers. Frankly, havne't noticed any crazy improvement in either one. Luiz remains the same excellent player he was since his first game for Chelsea, with his immense virtues (mental and technical) as well as his deficiencies. Of course, that's just my humble opinion.

You haven't played football, have you? The toughest thing for a football player is discipline. And I'm talking about the forward runs but also about the aggressiveness in defense (in his first year here, Luiz had given away more pens than any other player in the league) as well as wandering off a and chasing strikers to the half-way line. I hardly think the previous managers were encouraging David to do that.

[Leif 6,006]

Instead of debating whether he's better in defence or midfield which seems to cause some actual arguments, why not just be happy that we have such a versatile player who's capable as a stand-in defensive midfielder (and could probably stand in for even Mata given the chance! Who knows!) and a future (potentially) world-class centre-back?

I think it's obvious his career will be made in the heart of defence, but at the same time, he'd improve almost any club in the world by playing in midfield.

Just be happy we have such a talent at our club who gives us plenty of options and passion on the pitch.

When Mikel isn't needed for a particular game or it's simply the wrong match for him, David Luiz the midfielder can play.

When we need someone to slow down the match and Mikel starts, David Luiz the defender can play.

I still really want to see him play as a striker though. He could be the next Pele IMO.

[Fernando 6,585]

My favorite player right now from Chelsea.

He keeps getting better and better each year.

And I agreed with Terry in the past when he said that DL could be next captain.

Even though Cech usually gets it after Lampard and Terry, he does not gives me the excitement and passion that DL does.

One of the best buy in the Carlo era. Thank you Carlo for DL.

[robsblubot 3,595]

You haven't played football, have you? The toughest thing for a football player is discipline. And I'm talking about the forward runs but also about the aggressiveness in defense (in his first year here, Luiz had given away more pens than any other player in the league) as well as wandering off a and chasing strikers to the half-way line. I hardly think the previous managers were encouraging David to do that.

Being originally from Brazil, I've played plenty of football (not professionally I'm happy to say)... I've played with excellent players, like Ronaldinho, and others well known in Brazil only (Carlos Miguel, Danrley, Jamir).

Don't see the relevance myself though - Mourinho never played much himself.

Let's just say I couldn't disagree more with the following statatement: "The toughest thing for a football player is discipline." The toughest thing for a football player is technique. Technique comes first. Only when technique is good we can begin talking about other aspects, physical and mental. Of course a good player must be well rounded, but technique is king. We prob should stop now, because this is a very fundamental disagreement.

[Fernando 6,585]

I love you DL!

[TacticalBlues 2,817]

[The Skipper 20,609]

such a talented footballer.

[Leif 6,006]

Doesn't seem happy in the post-match interview.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Amazing technique! On his "weaker" foot as well. Take a bow.

[xPetrCechx 13,570]

[Alan Partridge 1,124]

Lovely stuff