David Luiz is back in business
After an impressive first season under Antonio Conte, David Luiz was ostracised by the manager during the 2017/18 season. The Brazilian lost his place in the middle of Conte’s back three to Andreas Christensen and he was confined to only playing in the league cup.
But under new boss Maurizio Sarri, Luiz is loving life. Having regained his place in defence, Luiz has rediscovered some form, putting in an almost flawless display against Liverpool on Saturday.
The defender was full of praise for Sarri when speaking to Chelsea TV, calling the Italian a ‘fantastic person’.
“Sarri is giving us a lot of happiness to play football. We are trying to enjoy,” Luiz told Chelsea TV. “He gives us a lot of confidence. He shows us what he wants. He gives us the details about the game.
“He works hard in every situation. And also as a human he’s a fantastic person. Every single day he says to us ‘you have the best job in the world, so you have to enjoy’.
“You have to try to do this with a big smile. Many people in the world don’t have this privilege.”
Sarri’s unorthodox rise to the top of football management has given him a unique perspective, which players seem to appreciate.
It is clear that Luiz is much happier playing under Sarri than he ever was during Conte’s two-year spell at Stamford Bridge, partly due to the new style of football and partly due to his man management style.
Chelsea remain unbeaten after seven league matches this season, having dropped four points – against West Ham last weekend and Liverpool yesterday.
Their new, possession based style of play suits the squad down to the ground and has seen Eden Hazard come close to reaching his best form, as he tops the goalscoring charts in the Premier League.
Although, Sarri has demanded even more from his star player.
