David Luiz

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Reading the last through pages of this thread... There's this common misconception that the English love this big, strong defender who's technically inapt but will get their body in the way, it's not true.

We don't love these warrior-type defenders, they do the job, which is defending, if they have the technical ability on the ball than that a plus. Bobby Moore, Englands most famous defender, was stylish on the ball, he read the game very well and his positional sense was fantastic. He was not this big, strong, neanderthal type defender who's technically poor but will put their body on the line.

David Luiz was never slated for his ability on the ball, it was his defending. When Luiz first came the the league he was tactically poor, his decision making was awful, clumsy, poor at reading the game and honestly on the verge of getting sent off every game. Reading the last few pages, some people make him out to be this total defender who had it all, i'm sorry he didn't.

pachman40, in particular, making out that Chelsea changed his style for the worse, it's nonsense. He's definitely a better player now, but more importantly a better defender.

My qualm with Luiz is that he is almost too good a footballer, in terms of his technical abilities (which are incredible), to be a defender. It means he is over elaborate and complicates things - instead of being hardwired to thump the ball upfield the way someone with less technical competency, such as Cahill, does, he knows he can either do that - or - he can dribble the ball out of danger or try and play some kind of hollywood through-ball. Yes he can be very impressive, but I prefer my defenders to do the simple things. But I suppose that is the goalkeeper in me talking, as anyone who tries to dribble in and around my penalty area is sure to get an "accidental" punch the next time my team defends a corner.

[Despiadado.Maleante 1,046]

Although I think his average at CM our win% with him there is insane

[Magic Lamps 11,668]

Luiz performance indeed was poor and the yellow card was rather unnecesary, but everyone is saying Luiz gets himself in danger with his tackles. In over 280 professional games, Luiz has never been sent off. Never. This is quite remarkable for a CB. He knows what he is doing, even though his challenges are often poor like they were yesterday,

[laeth 527]

Luiz performance indeed was poor and the yellow card was rather unnecesary, but everyone is saying Luiz gets himself in danger with his tackles. In over 280 professional games, Luiz has never been sent off. Never. This is quite remarkable for a CB. He knows what he is doing, even though his challenges are often poor like they were yesterday,

Surprising.

You sneaky git Luiz .

[DJames 729]

Luiz performance indeed was poor and the yellow card was rather unnecesary, but everyone is saying Luiz gets himself in danger with his tackles. In over 280 professional games, Luiz has never been sent off. Never. This is quite remarkable for a CB. He knows what he is doing, even though his challenges are often poor like they were yesterday,

Seriously!

I feel like I remember him being sent off With those tackles and his aggression one would think he has been. Good job Luiz

[Bir_CFC 3,455]

Luiz performance indeed was poor and the yellow card was rather unnecesary, but everyone is saying Luiz gets himself in danger with his tackles. In over 280 professional games, Luiz has never been sent off. Never. This is quite remarkable for a CB. He knows what he is doing, even though his challenges are often poor like they were yesterday,

Yup, he's a lot more intelligent than people give him credit for. I mean, Mou let him play the full 90, he trusted him and he repaid his trust. He's just a super aggressive player and I think he was ok yesterday. I just think it was mistake starting Luiz and Ramires together because they both lack positional discipline and go chasing after the ball.

[Sidzeret 2,257]

Miley Cyrus mode yesterday- He can't stop.

[lionsden 4,689]

He was was booting the ball away in midfield, i'd understand if we was getting pushed back and there was no other options other than kick the ball out. But he was under no pressure at all. It was very strange, I've never seen someone in midfield do that before

David Luiz the innovator and trend starter. What can't this man do? he must have the limitless pill stashed in his drawer at home.

[Styles 9,790]

Here's hoping that was his last game in midfield for us.

[DYC. 7,542]

Luiz performance indeed was poor and the yellow card was rather unnecesary, but everyone is saying Luiz gets himself in danger with his tackles. In over 280 professional games, Luiz has never been sent off. Never. This is quite remarkable for a CB. He knows what he is doing, even though his challenges are often poor like they were yesterday,

This is absolutely shocking haha. So the guy does somehow know what he's is doing, extremely aggressive rather than reckless.

[happy_juan 64]

Mikel fan group getting really nervous in this thread.

[pachman40 357]

Reading the last through pages of this thread... There's this common misconception that the English love this big, strong defender who's technically inapt but will get their body in the way, it's not true.

We don't love these warrior-type defenders, they do the job, which is defending, if they have the technical ability on the ball than that a plus. Bobby Moore, Englands most famous defender, was stylish on the ball, he read the game very well and his positional sense was fantastic. He was not this big, strong, neanderthal type defender who's technically poor but will put their body on the line.

David Luiz was never slated for his ability on the ball, it was his defending. When Luiz first came the the league he was tactically poor, his decision making was awful, clumsy, poor at reading the game and honestly on the verge of getting sent off every game. Reading the last few pages, some people make him out to be this total defender who had it all, i'm sorry he didn't.

pachman40, in particular, making out that Chelsea changed his style for the worse, it's nonsense. He's definitely a better player now, but more importantly a better defender.

Here we go with the neanderthal comparisons again, not gonna bother.

As for the bolded part, I agree that he's a better defender than when he arrived, Regarding changing his style for the worse, I think that's accurate and doesn't in the least misrepresent my opinion. You obviously disagree, no problem.

[The Skipper 20,593]

Mikel fan group getting really nervous in this thread.

What, so people who don't want to see Luiz at DM are Mikel fan boys?

It has more to do with Matic signing. That's why people are hoping he doesn't play there anymore.

[Barbara 15,149]

I think we'll see him playing there again in the UCL and maybe that's why Mourinho is using him now.

We only have Lamps, Mikel and Ramires (supposing Essien does leave this window). Matic and Marco can't play and I think some matches will require Luiz to be there as we go deeper (and hopefully we will).

That said I absolutely dislike him in the CM position. He's a CB end of story.

Also when I said he doesn't know what to do and just roofs the ball because he thinks that's what he's expected to do, this is more a mental thing rather than a game circumstance. It made no difference if there was no pressure at him at all. He's probably simply supposed that giving the match was in the end and we were winning that was what was expected from him.

Football players aren't the smartest and most resilient cookies around (although I do think Luiz is smarter than at least Brazilian players average). So sometimes they go through extremes because they're dealing with tactics, positioning, pressure, emotions and then they just don't reason as they should. I'm not calling them stupid, more like unprepared to some situations. And although I do believe Luiz isn't as much unprepared as others, I think he's really lost some of his joy and carefree-ness in the pitch. He seems worried, tense, unsure these days. I don't think we're really aware and familiar with the amount of pressure those players deal, especially being criticized openly, publicly and so often as Luiz is. I think he's still trying to figure out what people expect from him. And it's detracting the good part of his game and not exactly (or really) improving his weaknesses.

[robdog 2,084]

BTW, did anyone catch that segment on MOTD 2 of the comparision between Phil Jones & Side Show Bob? It was about how both Moyes & Jose deployed CB's into DM positions. While Side Show Bob deployment worked, Jones fell on his face. I am guessing this tactic is a new thing in footie. I remember when Jose was @ RM, he would deploy Pepe in a DM role, but he is a defender. I still want to see more of Side Show Bob as a striker. Remember Jose used to put Huth into a striker role during his first stint @ CFC.

[oman43 45]

BTW, did anyone catch that segment on MOTD 2 of the comparision between Phil Jones & Side Show Bob? It was about how both Moyes & Jose deployed CB's into DM positions. While Side Show Bob deployment worked, Jones fell on his face. I am guessing this tactic is a new thing in footie. I remember when Jose was @ RM, he would deploy Pepe in a DM role, but he is a defender. I still want to see more of Side Show Bob as a striker. Remember Jose used to put Huth into a striker role during his first stint @ CFC.

I didnt actually see it, I will try and find it on the internet. About the Luiz striker thing I remember this season at Newcastle away Jose sent Ivanovic up near the end to try win flick on and just be a presence in general, what with Torres going off as well. He has always been one for stuff like that. On the Sky Sports commentary Neville actually said that Jones is a CB outright, not a CDM. With Luiz he is unquestionably better in the CDM role than Jones. Its a great option for us to have, even now that Matic has arrived.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

What, so people who don't want to see Luiz at DM are Mikel fan boys?

It has more to do with Matic signing. That's why people are hoping he doesn't play there anymore.

You get baited too easily, my friend..

[BlueLyon 9,359]

Another player who I have no doubt will leave in summer. He isnt Mou type of player and will sit on bench most of time here. He has great transfer value and plenty of bidders...too fucking sad what Mou is doing. Kudos to his transformation of this club to play winning football, but not beautiful one. We had template to change something, on better, with likes of Mata and Luiz. To play better football. Yet, we have returned to old, 11 defenders on pitch, chasing the ball and hoofing it 50m ahead after leading 1:0.

Mou is just about to fuck off all our main faces of the team, jusr to get some instant success. Mata is already out, Luiz will follow soon if he wont be a starter.

That just makes me sick.