Maurizio Sarri Hails David Luiz

By Joshua Walters

Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri has hailed David Luiz’s performance and says the versatile Brazilian player plays better than he thought earlier.

Sarri arrived at the Stamford Bridge to meet David Luiz, who had been sidelined by the former manager, Antonio Conte, left disillusioned, as a result, and considering a transfer out of the club. 

Sarri has brought Luiz back to life by making him his first choice at the number-five role, and the Italian says he knew Luiz was the man for him from the start; an impression he did not have on the player till he joined Chelsea.

“I have to say he is better than I thought before, really better as a player and as a man,” Sarri said of Luiz, who has featured in all of Chelsea’s Premier League games this season.

“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. 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 the action very well from the defensive line, so he’s very suitable for me.”