David Luiz

[BlueLyon 9,359]

He isnt effective in final third like Pogba, Vidal or Toure are...i dont think Luiz could be regular DM here, he is more an option to use when required. He did well though, lot of power and pressing, but his passing isnt that good either (good for CB, but not CM).

[kellzfresh 7,229]

A Comment on luiz.

David Luiz may very well be a world class international centre back, but in the Premier League and perhaps at club level as a whole he is entirely suited to this box-to-box dynamo role. His aggression, passing ability, comfort on the ball and overall strength are the very basis of a dominant central midfielder. I would love to see Mourinho persist and work with him to fully develop some subtlety and his decision making because he would be a monster if everything clicked. He tackles, intercepts and drives forward with the ball when the opportunity arises. These are natural traits within his game and eerily similar to Juventus Arutro Vidal.
The next sentence is incredible however David Luizs discipline in midfield was exceptional. Yes. That is correct. How many times did David Silva move into the pocket and expose Chelsea? How many times did the commentary team mention that Silva could not escape Luizs attention? Luizs ability to close down passing lanes and stick to Mourinhos rigid instructions were phenomenal. While perhaps not quite at the level of Essien on Gerrard in the Champions League, his nullifying effort was stellar.
I want David Luiz in my midfield under Mourinho. I want him kicking people, barging people, smashing through Touré and looking to play the ball quickly when he gets it. I want him to continue to form what looks like an exceptional understanding with Matić and grow into a dominant midfield pairing. I want Luiz to continue showing that drive, aggression and tactical understanding and become Mourinhos midfield general. He has everything in his game to become a world class central midfielder it is now up to Mourinho to see whether he persists with Luiz there and sees through this brilliantly nuanced deployment

[manpe 10,861]

There'a a lot of debate about Luiz playing in a midfield role (i almost quoted a few of them from a couple of pages back) mostly saying he looks like a CB playing as DM, not natural and not especially well.

Some people say that? I guess they haven't seen Phil Jones or Demichelis playing in midfield.

[Shane 2,275]

Was a very very good display from him Monday Night, Him and Luiz really look like they are a good partnership and bully teams in the middle. My god its been a while since we bullied a midfield like we did on Monday night, It was like the days of Essien, Ballack and Lampard all over again.

[Gilvorak 3,734]

Rafa/Jose know best. All over the place defensively tonight keep him at DM unless it's unavoidable.

[robsblubot 3,529]

Rafa/Jose know best. All over the place defensively tonight keep him at DM unless it's unavoidable.

indeed and that's the amount of risk it takes to win big.

Yes, Terry would've been a more solid option with better aerial and blocking. Luiz didn't do the offside line well enough and that's going to become a problem as he moves to midfield and then back to defense. Why should've played with a more solid backline against newcastle at the bridge?

Take for example the 2nd goal: Luiz (bad?!) instincts made him move to the left, even though Chelsea was not completely out of the woods yet. Still it paid off because he was there to quickly pull the counter, which found willian in pace.

There was another play where Luiz sets up Hazard with an absolutely perfect 50 yard pass.

The decision of when to play luiz in defense, or in the middle, or not at all depends really on Mourinho's tactics, obviously. Aside from WH game, Jose seems to get this better than any other manager. Look at what happened to Arsenal when they started with a single holding mid away from home - if you can call Arteta that....

In contrast with WH match, this was a perfect line up to beat a weaker side into oblivion, which is exactly what happened.

[Barbara 15,149]

He wasn't up to his best again - it was more less the same we've seen from him this season.

I still believe he's very useful for us, and we need him.

A few matches - as a CB - could help, but it was clear how much we've missed JT today, so I think we can cope with his sub-par season for the rest of it, and next season is a clean slate for him, especially after the WC where I expect him to do very well. Hopefully he'll be highly motivated and we'll be able to see the best of him playing for us.

For now, he's clearly our third CB - but still very, very useful.

[YouNameIt 1,511]

He wasn't up to his best again - it was more less the same we've seen from him this season.

I still believe he's very useful for us, and we need him.

A few matches - as a CB - could help, but it was clear how much we've missed JT today, so I think we can cope with his sub-par season for the rest of it, and next season is a clean slate for him, especially after the WC where I expect him to do very well. Hopefully he'll be highly motivated and we'll be able to see the best of him playing for us.

For now, he's clearly our third CB - but still very, very useful.

I dont get it...

A clean sheet, comfortable win and Newcastle didnt have much on us. Solid defensive play and yet you critisize Luiz.

What did/didnt he do according to you? How was he worse than Cahill this game? What after this game streghten your belief that hes our 3rd choice defender?

[Barbara 15,149]

I dont get it...

A clean sheet, comfortable win and Newcastle didnt have much on us. Solid defensive play and yet you critisize Luiz.

What did/didnt he do according to you? How was he worse than Cahill this game? What after this game streghten your belief that hes our 3rd choice defender?

I'm not complaining or criticizing. I'm just assessing a match and a situation.

I did compliment him for that amazing pass to Willian in our first goal (in the match thread) but defensively he was shaky at moments. That header someone from Newcastle had on his back, in the first half; he had an 'old!Cahill' moment in the second half where he was pointing to someone cover the wing, while slowly back-running, not breaking to the side himself, nor properly marking the man ahead of him, who's got a very good shot, but I guess Cech deflected (or someone else did, or the guy missed, although it was a very good position to shoot).

I'm defending his permanence in the club and saying it's hard for him to get a streak of matches now (given the other defenders' performances and form) - which could possibly help him with his form. He's been subpar compared to himself (on his best) and compared to JT and Cahill this season. There's nothing wrong admitting that. He's still a great defender imo who just needs to find his best form. And I want him to stay.

[The Skipper 20,593]

Rafa/Jose know best. All over the place defensively tonight keep him at DM unless it's unavoidable.

Lol, honestly amazing how people can selectively pick and choose what game they want to remember just to suit their agenda.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

I dont get it...

A clean sheet, comfortable win and Newcastle didnt have much on us. Solid defensive play and yet you critisize Luiz.

What did/didnt he do according to you? How was he worse than Cahill this game? What after this game streghten your belief that hes our 3rd choice defender?

Lazy defending when he played Sissoko on for the 1vs1 against Cech and when he lost De Jong in the box and gave him a free header at the edge of the 6-yard box. A couple of other smaller mistakes as well.

But....that pass to start the counter for the second goal

[robsblubot 3,529]

Lazy defending when he played Sissoko on for the 1vs1 against Cech and when he lost De Jong in the box and gave him a free header at the edge of the 6-yard box. A couple of other smaller mistakes as well.

But....that pass to start the counter for the second goal

agreed but the 50 yard pass to Hazard was even better - Hazard did not even have to stretch his leg to pick it up.

We just have to hope that he has the discernment about when to go for a more defensive stance, like he did in the CL final back then. And he needs to throw himself in front of shots more as his blocking was nowhere to be found. He can't rely exclusively on anticipation.

[Jase 43,479]

Eccentric Chelsea star Luiz reveals his favourite place in Britain is... Legoland!

[Svita 10 186]

poor defending = goal for WBA

[The Skipper 20,593]

poor defending = goal for WBA

Brilliant flick = Chelsea goal.

Sorry, but to blame the goal entirely on Luiz is nonsensical.

He should've perhaps stayed with Anichebe, but at the same time Cech should've come out and claimed it.

[Viper22 2,418]

I think my patience for Luiz has worn too thin....

He was pretty poor today, and could easily have given away a pen for shirt pulling on that useless Anichebe. Not just today though, he hasn't been great this season either.

Would anyone out there really complain if we sold him in the summer? Especially if Barca make another £30M bid they were rumoured to have made last summer?

We have Zouma and Kalas and I would be happy with those 2 alongside JT and Cahill for next season, maybe add Ake in there as well.

I've defended Luiz all the time since he joined, but I think my heart will be happier if we have a more solid CB that doesn't worry me all the time.

[zolayes 14,489]

ROLL UP ROLL UP ,,time to KICK luiz again ....

[Fernando 6,484]

Well David Luiz ain't the best defender.

But It was our fault for not killing the game.

Can't put all the blame on one guy.