Maurizio Sarri said David Luiz can play his way of football, while the Chelsea head coach has been surprised by the defender as a “player and a man” since replacing Antonio Conte.
Brazilian centre-back David Luiz was frozen out by former boss Conte last Premier League season but the veteran is back in the fold under Sarri in 2018-19.
David Luiz has been a mainstay this term, playing in all seven of Chelsea’s Premier League fixtures, including the 1-1 draw at home to Liverpool.
And former Napoli boss Sarri lauded the 31-year-old’s ability after he appeared set to leave Stamford Bridge.
“I don’t know what happened before but when I arrived immediately I had a feeling he is a very good player for my way of football as he is a very technical centre-back.
“I appreciate very much the man as he is direct. If he has to say something to me, he does that.”
Sarri added: “I like direct people. Very much.
“He was a little confused as two seasons ago he was a protagonist but then came six months without playing. So he was a little confused.
“I think he is very able to play my way with his characteristics. He is very technical and understands the action of the defensive line very much.” Although primarily a centre back, David Luiz can also be deployed as a defensive midfielder, and has drawn praise for his physical strength, work-rate, technique, and range of distribution as a defender, as well as his personality, composure in possession, and confidence on the ball, which enables him to play the ball out from the back or launch an attack with long balls after winning back possession.
A powerful striker of the ball from distance, Luiz has also been known to take and score from long-range free kicks. Although in the past he has been criticised in the media for his inconsistent defensive performances, and for being reckless in his challenges, as well as prone to errors or lapses in concentration, during the 2016–17 season, he showed notable improvements upon his return to Chelsea, when the club’s new manager Antonio Conte decided to deploy him as a ball-playing centre back in a three-man back-line in the team’s 3–4–3 formation.
Luiz excelled in the new role, while Conte praised the defender for working to improve his composure and concentration, and singled out Luiz as being “crucial” to the team’s success, also labelling him as one of the best defenders in the world.
He has been a key part of Chelsea’s back line due to hiss ability to pass the ball from the back, a component that Sarri strictly requires from his center backs.