Maurizio Sarri admits he has been pleasantly surprised by David Luiz since his appointment at Chelsea. The Brazil international appeared destined for the Stamford Bridge exit door for the second time in his career after falling out with Antonio Conte last season. Sarri’s appointment, however, has coincided with Luiz’s return to the starting line-up and he has subsequently produced a series of outstanding displays. The 31-year-old was among Chelsea’s best players in Saturday’s enthralling 1-1 draw with Premier League leaders Liverpool and Sarri believes the former PSG star is ideal for the brand of football he is attempting to instill. Maurizio Sarri: 1-1 draw against Liverpool Play Video Loaded: 0% 0:00Progress: 0% PlayMute Current Time 0:00 / Duration Time 5:39 Fullscreen
‘I have to say he is better than I thought before, really better,’ Sarri said of Luiz. ‘As a player and as a man. ‘I don’t know [what happened] before, but when I arrived here immediately I had the feeling he is a very good player for my way of football because he is a very technical centre-back. Then, I appreciate very much the man.
‘He is direct. If he has to say something to the manager, to talk to me, he [comes] direct to me. ‘I like very much direct people. He was a little confused [when I arrived] because two seasons ago he was a protagonist [in the team], and then [he went] six months without playing. ‘I think he is very sweet, able to play my football for his characteristics. He is very technical, he is able to start very well the action from the defensive line, so he’s very suitable for me.’
Muttering under his breath, shaking his head in regret, David Luiz was the last player to disappear from the field. He had taken his time after the final whistle. As Liverpool’s players went over to celebrate with their fans, and as his Chelsea teammates trudged disconsolately toward the tunnel, Luiz lingered.
David Luiz capped off a fantastic weekend on the pitch by surprising a die-hard Chelsea fan at her birthday party.
After starring in the Blues’ entertaining draw with Liverpool, the Brazilian centre-back and his girlfriend Bruna Loureiro took time out from their day off to celebrate with Carol Ann Wood and her friends.
Luiz sat down for dinner with the group and posed for photos, with Carol clearly thrilled her favourite player decided to show up.
If Carlsberg did birthday parties … well I went to David’s party so he decided to come to mine. All a well-kept secret. What a guy! 🤗💙⚽️ pic.twitter.com/NPA85PoojT
— Carol Ann Wood (@CFCPinky) September 30, 2018
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri praised Luiz’s personality as well as his footballing ability after his performance against the Reds on Saturday.
“Yes, I have to say he is a lot better than I thought,” Sarri told reporters at Stamford Bridge.
“A lot better, both as a player and as a man. I don’t know what happened before I arrived, but when I arrived here, immediately I had the feeling that he is a very good player for my way of football because he is a very technical centre back.
It’s Hug A Geezer time 🤗😍 pic.twitter.com/ww0pTDI0Vz
— Carol Ann Wood (@CFCPinky) September 30, 2018
“Then I appreciated his qualities as a man. He is direct, if he has to say something to the manager, to talk to me. Then he goes directly to me. I don’t know [if Conte didn’t like it] but I like very much the direct people. I like this [communication] very much.”
Luiz is open about the fact that he nearly left Stamford Bridge in the summer, and after his performance on Saturday, Chelsea fans like Carol will be very glad he decided to stay.