Chelsea centre-back David Luiz has revealed that he would have quit Stamford Bridge in the summer transfer window had former manager Antonio Conte stayed.
The Brazil international rarely featured in the Premier League last season, having fallen out with the Italian in February, and has now joined team mate Willian in stating that he would have left had Maurizio Sarri not replaced Conte.
“If the manager had stayed the same, of course, everybody knows maybe I would have had to move clubs. Now I’m here and so happy,” the 31-year-old star told the Sun.
Luiz also lifted the lid on life under new boss Sarri: “I think every coach comes with new stuff and can improve and help us, and of course Sarri has already taught me many things I never saw before,” he said.
“With everybody it takes time but we’ve already played two games and got six points.”
OPINION
Chelsea’s 100% record will be put to the test again on Sunday against Newcastle, but it has certainly been a positive start to life at Stamford Bridge for Maurizio Sarri. Luiz has been key to the Blues’s fine form, moulding a formidable partnership with Antonio Rudiger at the heart of the new four man defence. It appears that Conte really did rub a lot of people the wrong way at Chelsea. The Italian authored a tremendous first season in England, winning the title at a canter, but his second campaign was plagued by in-fighting and underachievement. Luiz’s comments come hot on the heels of a similar admission from Willian, and they speak volumes about the disharmony in the Chelsea locker room last season. Things seem to be back on track under Sarri, however, and Luiz will hope to help his side to another three points at St James’s Park.