David Luiz - Thanks for the memories geezer

Article by e-Chelsea's Robert Wake

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I can’t say I was surprised when the news broke last Friday that Chelsea had agreed a fee with Paris Saint-Germain for the sale of David Luiz. What did surprise me was the fee. It is widely reported to be in the region of £48 million, an astonishing fee for a centre back, and clearly business Chelsea were more than happy to complete quickly – perhaps before the French champions had a change of heart. While David has plenty of qualities, not least his passion and enthusiasm for the game itself, he also has plenty of flaws which make the fee at least £10 million over his true value in my opinion.

Luiz joined from Benfica for £21.3 million in January 2011, in a move which ironically took Nemanja Matic in the opposite direction, before he returned to Stamford Bridge in January for a similar fee that was paid for Luiz. The Brazilian was cup-tied for European competition, but made 12+1 appearances during the second half of the season, scoring twice. The following season, Luiz made 40+3 appearances, scoring three times, but was injured during the FA Cup Semi-Final victory over Tottenham at Wembley, and was not involved in the FA Cup Final against Liverpool or the Champions League Semi-final ties against Barcelona. With Captain John Terry suspended, and Gary Cahill also struggling with injury, Luiz was patched up and sent out for that memorable night in Munich alongside an equally patched up Cahill. Not only did Luiz complete 120 minutes of an intense Champions League Final, he also confidently dispatched the second penalty of that nerve-jangling shoot-out as The Blues lifted Europe’s Premier trophy for the first time in our history.

During season 2012-13, initially under Roberto Di Matteo, and later under Rafa Benitez, Luiz made an astonishing 57+3 appearance for Chelsea. Benitez often used him as a holding midfielder in the ‘double pivot’ allowing him to display his range of passing higher up the pitch, as well as scoring seven goals during the marathon season, a stunning strike at Fulham among the most memorable of them. Luiz also scored a late free-kick away to Basel in the Europa League semi-final, and ended the season with victory over former club Benfica in the final in Amsterdam.

Last season Luiz found it difficult to break up the centre-back partnership of Cahill and Terry at the heart of The Blues defence, and was again switched to midfield in the second half of the season, excelling alongside Matic in the win at Manchester City, and in the 6-0 demolition of Arsenal at Stamford Bridge. He finished with 34+5 appearances in all competitions in what turned about to be his final season for us.

David Luiz always had a good rapport with the supporters. Perhaps it was his maverick style, perhaps the cheeky grin, or the penchant for over the top celebrations. For all these traits, and for plenty of committed performances, he will be fondly remembered. Thanks David. Good luck geezer.

DAVID LUIZ CHELSEA CAREER STATS
 
Appearances

143 + 12

Goals

12

Yellows

39

Reds

0

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