Of Chelsea’s two January signings, it is clear David Luiz has had the more remarkable start than Fernando Torres. Unexpectedly, it has been the flamboyant Brazilian who has captured the imagination of the Blues’ support and not 50 million pound Torres. Goals and afro wigs (that look suspiciously like the Marouane Fellaini wigs) have flowed from the 24 year old but has Luiz shown that he can be the answer to Chelsea’s central defensive woes of the last couple of years, as they have struggled to find a permanent, quality replacement for Ricardo Carvalho.
Luiz was brought in to be that man. However, weaknesses have shown in Luiz’s game and Ex-manager Carlo Ancelotti finally lost patience when in the crucial defeat to Manchester United earlier this month, Luiz seemed to be at fault for Javier Hernandez’s pivotal early goal. Luiz does look like a skilful enough footballer and strong defender, he is possibly prone to mistakes and naïve as to the intensity of the English game.
With this in mind, do Chelsea already have in their ranks the permanent partner of John Terry?
Branislav Ivanovic, arguably Chelsea’s player of the season having played 34 league games in a season where it seemed every defender was at sometime injured, could be the answer to the problem. At times when Ferreira and fellow Portuguese full back Jose Bosingwa have been injured (so… most of the last 2 years) Ivanovic has deputised at right back and very competently, showing he can be creative going forward as well as solid in defence. Those who have seen Ivanovic play at centre back would probably argue that he is wasted at right back and his quality lies at centre back, alongside John Terry.
Ivanovic’s speed and covering abilities compliment Terry’s positioning and bravery perfectly and more importantly, he is less prone to mistakes (at this moment in time) than Luiz. However, with Ferreira and Bosingwas’ Chelsea careers seemingly coming to an end, Ivanovic’s calling may be at right back.
I think I’m probably the only Chelsea fan who isn’t caught up in the Luiz hype. I’m sure he’ll improve, but at the moment I watch him through my fingers because he’s so reckless.
Almost cost us the game at Fulham, should have been sent off against United, worst player on the pitch against Stoke, embarrassing at Old Trafford and annoyed me with his show of petulance.
Out of our defenders, I’d say that Alex is the best and the perfect player to partner the captain. Ivanovic and Luiz can fill in across the back four over the course of the season.
Alex is better than Luiz at centreback.
I’d rather see Luiz in Mikel’s spot.
yeah when fit Alex is far more solid than Luiz. I definitely think Luiz could do a job in a holding midfield role and probably be more inventive than Mikel
That would be a great move and allow Mikel to push up into his more suited role as a central midfielder.
We nid him as a future defender incase of injury get dat ok.As for mikel until gud midfield and creative join him he wil cum gud cos he’s til young
Luiz is proper quality. As a defender he may need time as he has been very brittle but ball holding, dribbling and passing has been different class and shown his team mates up. I don’t understand why he hasn’t been tried further up, in front of the back two to pull soem string from further down field and there learn the more graceful tackling of Terry and Bran. Sorry Mikel, I think you’ve grown in that position but I feel Luiz is made for it. Just a thought
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