David Luiz

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Needs to do it over a few more matches but I like the balance between him and Matic. Both are defensively strong, both good in the air, both like to roam forward at times and both can pick a pass. His concentration issues don't just disappear when he's in midfield, but maybe he's a little bit more engaged in that position and any mistakes can be covered by the defence.

He's better than Ramires at least.

That's another excellent point. Luiz is almost too good a footballer not to play - and if he's in the midfield, at least there's the chance the team can recover from a misjudgement.

[The only place to be 11,313]

What was interesting yesterday was seeing that he actually stayed back for corners. I think that was simply Jose keeping things simple and having him fill Rami's role at corners but he can be a real threat if balls come out to him for a long shot, although in time maybe we could use him at set-pieces alongside Matic, Cahill, Terry and Ivanovic and leave Azpi and Oscar back.

The guy certainly has it in him to hit shots from 30 yards, plus he can pick a pass. Just needs to get his stamina up there and he's a real option for next season.

[Kieran. 6,317]

What was interesting yesterday was seeing that he actually stayed back for corners. I think that was simply Jose keeping things simple and having him fill Rami's role at corners but he can be a real threat if balls come out to him for a long shot, but in time maybe we could use him at set-pieces alongside Matic, Cahill, Terry and Ivanovic and leave Azpi and Oscar back.

The guy certainly has it in him to hit shots from 30 yards, plus he can pick a pass. Just needs to get his stamina up there and he's a real option for next season.

I agree and he needs to get over these niggling but consistent injuries. Every two months it seems like he's out for two weeks.

[duo11bluecl 207]

This guy could become Coentrao to us, someone who always does the job when step in but never a regular/favorite for the manager which is fine I suppose.

[Mr Lover Lover 18]

This guy could become Coentrao to us, someone who always does the job when step in but never a regular/favorite for the manager which is fine I suppose.

He'll be off to Barcelona if it ever comes to him "just stepping in" for certain games imo. He probably will play in midfield for the rest of the season

[Barbara 15,149]

I was so much into the bandwagon that hated the idea of turning him into a midfielder, but the more I see him playing by Matic's side the less convinced of that I am.

Why would we reinforce one of the still strong teams there, fixing their defense and then still have to find someone to partner decently with Matic?

Maybe a newcomer won't have a chance to displace Ramires - maybe José won't even look into someone to reinforce us in that zone, but if Luiz makes the best out of the next four matches he'll play for us (two with Matic for EPL and likely two with Ramires for UCL), he could grab the position from Ramires.

If he convinces Mourinho he's at least the best partner for Matic in those three matches he'll play there, I'll be happy. I was so happy that the guys from Chelsea TV pointed out to Mourinho that the big matches we've played with Luiz/Matic we won and played well. Mourinho can be stubborn and maybe it'll take him a while do admit his lovely Ramires while very good in some aspects, is a letdown in others and therefore isn't the best fit for our pivot. We saw with Mata and others throughout the years that having a player who's very good in something and very bad in other isn't always better than have a guy who's consistent in all things, while not necessarily impressive in any of them.

The thing is Luiz can be impressive defending... so I think it could turn into a win-win situation for us. I hope Mourinho can see the light. And you never know... maybe that could help Luiz improve as a defender too.

[LAM09 7,043]

Everytime I see him play for Brazil as a CB, he is impressive. A different story when he plays for Chelsea. Maybe we need to buy Silva to partner him.

[laeth 527]

His anticipation and reading of the game makes him a great defensive midfielder, it allows him to see when to step in and intercept and as he is so much further forward, he has the ability to play the ball quickly to our front four and in-turn counter attack with pace. Both him and Matic do this really well, which is why we countered City and Arsenal so well when they played together.

[Special Juan 28,132]

Him and Matic could be the combo we need.

[Tomo 21,751]

Love love love love LOVE this guy in the pivot next to Matic. Fuck off do we need to spend £35 million on Witsel or some other "dynamic" box to box midfielder. This guy is class there. A far better option than Ramires (who is too inconsistent) and Lampard (who sadly is now too old to play consistently and/or on a regular basis).

I think Luiz works well next to Matic, but doesn't look to good next to any one else. One injury to Matic and we are back with the same old CM problem, which is why imo we need another (i would say Witsel, but apparently him and Matic weren't that great as a partnership at Benfica).

[Mufassir08 2,400]

I think Luiz works well next to Matic, but doesn't look to good next to any one else. One injury to Matic and we are back with the same old CM problem, which is why imo we need another (i would say Witsel, but apparently him and Matic weren't that great as a partnership at Benfica).

TBH he did play pretty well against Liverpool at home without Matic.I guess we'll know a lot more about Luiz the midfielder against PSG if he starts that one.

[Jase 43,479]

Luiz has done well in the midfield role this season when we are looking to be proactive in pressing, tackling and intercepting the ball (or player) higher up the pitch. Think question marks still remain on him when say we take a more reactive approach in sitting deep, defend and only pressing when the opposition to within certain distance of our goal. Not too sure if he can genuinely keep his discipline, mind etc on the task if that is the case. We have seen him done alright in such cases but also failing in it.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Luiz has done well in the midfield role this season when we are looking to be proactive in pressing, tackling and intercepting the ball (or player) higher up the pitch. Think question marks still remain on him when say we take a more reactive approach in sitting deep, defend and only pressing when the opposition to within certain distance of our goal. Not too sure if he can genuinely keep his discipline, mind etc on the task if that is the case. We have seen him done alright in such cases but also failing in it.

His aggressiveness is still for me an issue. His pressing can be very good at times, but he always seems to make at least one or two mistakes each game which is a lot. For example, the mistake he did early in the game against Arsenal that led to that brilliant Cech save. He lost his concentration and got his positioning completely wrong and left the back four stranded with 5 Arsenal players running at them. He did a similar mistake later on in the first half and had to take down Rosicky from behind and if the game wasn't already finished he would have been booked for it.

The only game in midfield he's gone without making a serious mistake was against City. But then again, he was playing against a midfield duo of a CB and a nonchalant Toure.

[Jase 43,479]

His aggressiveness is still for me an issue. His pressing can be very good at times, but he always seems to make at least one or two mistakes each game which is a lot. For example, the mistake he did early in the game against Arsenal that led to that brilliant Cech save. He lost his concentration and got his positioning completely wrong and left the back four stranded with 5 Arsenal players running at them. He did a similar mistake later on in the first half and had to take down Rosicky from behind and if the game wasn't already finished he would have been booked for it.

The only game in midfield he's gone without making a serious mistake was against City. But then again, he was playing against a midfield duo of a CB and a nonchalant Toure.

True but then again, it is always a risk when we take a proactive approach in pressing high up the pitch. If the opposition manages to bypass that pressure or someone switches off, then they'll have a clear run at our back 4. Hasn't happened a lot but it does happen here and there a little bit.

[dee25 1,044]

He hasn't played many games with Matic so it might be too early to draw any conclusions but the reason why Luiz plays well with him is probably the same reason why he works well with T. Silva.

Luiz tends to perform better when there's a more competent player beside him.