Chelsea are keen to offload players who have underperformed this season, as they seek to use the long break in the offseason to recharge batteries and get in new players who will take the club back to glory. But former Blues defender Alex has told the club’s top officials to look beyond David Luiz when selling.
According to Alex, Luiz is still one of the very best in his position in the world and w0uld contribute immensely to the future of the club.
Luiz has endured a torrid season, playing only 14 times in all competitions. He started brilliantly, but tailed off midway through the campaign, after widespread reports, captured by the Metro, said the defender had a feud with his manager Antonio Conte after the Champions League defeat to AS Roma.
Now Alex says although the player has suffered an injury that has kept him out of the side in 2018, he has the experience to bounce back better and excel under a new manager if Conte leaves this summer.
“He has been out for two or three months with a knee problem. He was very good last year, it worked out well in the Conte line-up with three defenders. There are many defenders who like to play in this line-up. David Luiz did very well as a libero. Unfortunately, he did not start well this season. I’m not sure what happened, probably a problem, so he lost his place in the starting line-up. I’m very fond of him. He’s a great friend, a great person.
Could he leave? It’s difficult to talk, every day you may be surprised… We do not know yet if the coach will continue. Sometimes a new coach arrives, and the player ends up receiving more opportunities. David is an experienced player. For me, he should not leave, because Chelsea is an exceptional club. I think he should stay and try one more time. For the quality he has, the player that he is, the opportunities will appear.
I have seen great players, especially in my position, who lost their place in their teams, for example John Terry, a player I always saw as the best player in the world of my position at that time. [Luiz], due to injury and some other things, has also lost his spot. David Luiz is still a great defender, and he’s not that old! You have to turn things around.”
Alex, Goal
