Another option is Luiz’s Brazilian compatriot Alex. He, similarly to Luiz, has shown his goal scoring capabilities with his thunderous set pieces along with willingness to play the ball out of defence (must be a Brazilian thing). Alex’s temperament, however, seems to be more controlled than Luiz’s and he appears to make less mistakes, highlighted when brought on for Luiz in the Manchester United game in May and trumping Luiz’s questionable performance by having a stormer. On paper, he is the perfect candidate to be Terry’s partner. Unfortunately, his continued injury problems over the last year have hampered the progression of his Chelsea career, missing most of this season; if he was fit, the season may have turned out differently as when fit he is arguably the best centre back in the squad.
Many have raised the question whether John Terry’s career is itself in decline. He may bleed Chelsea blue but the captains’ form has been questioned over the last year, coinciding with allegations over his private life. With age Terry is undoubtedly going to lose some of the physical attributes which have made him one of the most feared centre backs in the world today but it’s clear to see he still possesses the bravery, concentration and positioning which make him a great centre back; Jamie Carragher sets a fine example of what an (for want of a better word) ageing centre-back can do and that they can still perform at the top level.
Perhaps long term Chelsea need to seek a replacement for Terry so they can keep competitive on all fronts, it may get to the stage when Terry, like Ledley King for example, can only play once a fortnight or so. Jeffrey Bruma is, after Luiz, the youngest senior Chelsea centre back. He has established himself firstly in the Youth team at Chelsea, winning the FA Youth cup in 2010 and has now gained experience at the top level of the game with a loan spell at Leicester City following his handful of appearances for Chelsea in the FA and League cups. The Dutch under 21 international is comfortable on the ball and similarly to Alex possesses a fierce set piece, whether he is a genuine Chelsea first team candidate or another youth player who will ultimately be moved on to another club remains to be seen, but it is clear to see that, when all fit, Chelsea do not lack quality at centre back.
So David Luiz’s career at Chelsea has began unpredictably, from gaining the Chelsea fans’ love and admiration with his flair and charismatic persona to being very publicly substituted and consequently dropped in the biggest game of Chelsea’s season. However, given time his flaws can be wiped from his game and with a bit more discipline, he can solidify his place in the Chelsea defence for years to come.
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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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