It was a huge talking point here in the Football Transfer Tavern yesterday, with the Chelsea faithful split on how they viewed the signing of David Luiz…
Chelsea confirmed the signing of the divisive star with minutes to spare last night, and support for the deal in the Tavern was definitely not unanimous.
In fact, some of more vocal members of the Chelsea faithful in the Tavern were angry with the deal, citing the Brazilian defender’s inconsistency as a key factor.
Regardless of how the Chelsea fans feel about the deal, the reported £30 million transfer fee associated with the transfer definitely implies that Luiz will play a key role with the Blues this season.
With Antonio Conte vocal about his side’s lack of defensive depth – our landlord thinks that it’s safe to assume that he will play as a central defender going forward.
Alongside Conte’s other deadline day signing Marcos Alonso, our bar staff think that David Luiz could become a part of a new look Chelsea defence as the Blues look to challenge for the title this season.
With that, this is the ULTIMATE Chelsea defence including David Luiz – agreed?
RB – Cesar Azpilicueta
Cesar Azpilicueta has been an ever-present in the Chelsea first team so far this season, and our landlord expects that to continue going forward.
A switch to the right-hand side of defence could benefit the Spaniard, with Azpilicueta far more proficient defensively and offensively in his more natural position on the right.
He has excelled the left-hand side over the last couple of years, and you would expect him to get even better playing on the right.
Branislav Ivanovic had been a weak spot of the Chelsea back line in recent months, with several sides exploiting the Serbian defender as Chelsea struggled to a 10th place finish last season. His Chelsea career as a first team starter looks over…
CB – Kurt Zouma
Kurt Zouma is set to return from injury within the next month or two – and you would expect him to walk straight back into the Chelsea first team.
He settled into life at the heart of the Chelsea defence well prior to his injury, with Jose Mourinho and Guus Hiddink both preferring the French defender to Gary Cahill at the back.
His physical presence combined with his pace will make him a real favourite of Antonio Conte going forward, and at just 21 years old – he is only going to get better.
CB – David Luiz
David Luiz’s £32m signing from PSG on the final day of the summer Transfer Window was a huge shock to the Chelsea faithful here in the Football Transfer Tavern – with the jury still out on whether the deal is a good one.
Regardless, it seems likely that he will step straight into the Chelsea first team, pairing Kurt Zouma following the French defenders return from fitness.
Whilst often shaky at the back, Luiz has great technical ability, and will provide some much-needed leadership in the Chelsea back line – in the absence of John Terry.
At 35 years old, John Terry is winding down his Chelsea career, and David Luiz seems a likely replacement.
LB – Marcos Alonso
David Luiz is likely to be joined at the back by fellow new signing Marcos Alonso.
The Spanish left back was a relatively under-the-radar signing on the final day here in the Tavern, coming in for £23m amongst the furore surrounding the Luiz deal.
His signing will allow Azpilicueta to return to his more natural position on the right-hand side, and our landlord thinks that that could prove crucial this year.
The jury is still out on whether Alonso will make it in a blue shirt amongst the Chelsea faithful here in the Tavern – but only time will tell.
Our landlord is backing him for success either way.
