Why David Luiz deserves to get a new contract at Chelsea
According to reports in the Mirror, Chelsea are set to open talks with Brazilian defender David Luiz regarding a new contract. The player is out of contract at the end of the season and is currently on a decent wage of £120,000-a-week.
The 31-year-old was sidelined for long periods of time under the previous management of Antonio Conte. However, he has regained his starting place with Maurizio Sarri in charge. The Brazilian has proved to be a key figure at the back for Chelsea so far this season.
Mirror further states that it is hoped contract talks will begin soon so that a deal can be agreed on before January. The Blues want to wrap this deal up as other clubs are allowed to talk to Luiz if his contract isn’t extended by this winter.
Here’s why the 31-year-old’s contract must be extended at Stamford Bridge:
Sarri’s playing system suits David Luiz
Under Conte, the worry for Luiz was the system deployed, which eventually got the player into a situation where he was out of the team. In came Sarri with a bold idea of passing from the back and the Brazilian is back in the starting line-up.
The 31-year-old is one of the best when it comes to passing from deep and building attacks from the base. He may not be one of the quickest defenders to make recovery runs but his impact and command in possession and in the air are very good.
Furthermore, the back-four system suits the way the Brazilian plays. He gets good protection from a solid midfield base, which helps him to express himself on the ball and step up to make crucial interceptions.
Verdict
It is surprising to say that a player who was on the fringes at Chelsea until the end of last season now deserves a new contract at the club. This has been the magnitude of the turnaround in Luiz’s career at Stamford Bridge, where he has gone from being the last choice to being the first choice in a matter of months.
Read More: Why Chelsea must hold onto their £120,000-a-week star at all costs – a crucial figure under Sarri
His performance level has been quite high, which justifies the Blues’ idea to tie him to a new deal. The 31-year-old is now an experienced player, so Sarri might benefit from having him in the squad. A two-time Premier League winner is sure to help the Italian manager whenever required.