Date: 21st November 2011 at 6:51pm
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Chelsea have come under a lot of criticism following their recent run of poor form which was capped by a 2-1 defeat against Liverpool on Sunday, with Andre Villas-Boas and members Blues’ defence being singled out for scrutiny.

Pundits and fans alike have spoken of their concern when it comes to AVB’s preference to play a high defensive line and it would seem as though they have been justified in doing so considering we’ve shipped 17 goals in 12 league games.

Perhaps that particular tactic doesn’t suit us but that shouldn’t distract us from the worrying form of our defenders, especially the haphazard David Luiz.

Villas-Boas recently branded Gary Neville ‘ridiculous’ for suggesting that Luiz looked like he was “being controlled by a 10-year-old playing on his Playstation” and although I’d hate to agree with him, I cannot think of a more apt simile to describe the behaviour of the €24.5 million defender.

But Neville isn’t the only one who has criticised the 24-year-old Brazilian as Tony Cascarino and BBC pundit Alan Hansen have also shared their opinions on Luiz.

Cascarino told the Times:

“David Luiz is a fantastic footballer but he can’t defend for toffee.

“His positional play was woeful yesterday, he was caught in possession over and over again, and he just can’t be trusted to do the simple things well.

“Chelsea need a defensive rethink.”

Alan Hansen also stuck the boot into Luiz:

“Inevitably, David Luiz is the main focus of attention. He really hasn’t got a clue how to defend in a flat back four.

“It would be bad enough if he was being asked to defend on the 18-yard line, but playing so high up the pitch is a disaster waiting to happen.

“He is impetuous, gets caught out of position all the time, pushes forward when he needs to fall back and falls back when he should be pushing forward.

“If you were picking the ideal Chelsea back four, there is no way he’d be in it so I’m bemused by the absence of Alex.”

With all the hyperbole surrounding Fernando Torres since his arrival in January it seems as though everyone has forgotten that we paid a hefty sum of money for Luiz, who hasn’t been up to standard for the most part and there’s a worry that he may not be suited to English football, let alone the centre-half position.
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I was wary about the Brazilian before be signed him and would have preferred spending our money on someone like Neven Subotic or Diego Godin. He won the hearts of the Chelsea fans after the goals he scored against Manchester United and City last season, but he’s been dining out on those goals and a daft haircut ever since.

I’ve never denied that Luiz is a good player and has the ability to prove his worth, but he’s making it hard for himself when he’s guilty of so many acts that can only be described as stupidity. At the moment he’s not good enough to mask the shortcomings of John Terry, who isn’t playing well at the moment and lacks the pace to successfully play the high line. But will he ever be suited to life as a central defender?

There is a theory that has done the rounds arguing that perhaps David Luiz would be better suited to life as a defensive midfielder as he can make a pass and is probably better the further up the pitch he is. We won’t know if that would work or not, but I doubt it would stop him making so many fouls and he may even make more in what is the busiest part of the field.

Also, I’m one of the ones that is calling for Oriol Romeu to see more playing time in that position and I believe that he’s much more likely to make the role his own than Luiz is.

If there is a role that Luiz could fit in, perhaps it could be at fullback. He would still need to cut out the rash silliness and do better behind the ball, but it’s a position that he could showcase his natural ability from when he is allowed to go forward from the wide positions.

I realise that I have slaughtered David Luiz a bit here and I’m well aware that he’s not to blame for all our defensive frailties as the likes of Terry and Ashley Cole have a lot to answer for, but I expect better of him considering the money we invested to bring him to Stamford Bridge. I hope that he can sort his head out, cut out the crap and find the role that suits him best in the team.

 

4 responses to ““If you were picking the ideal Chelsea back four, there is no way he’d be in it””

  1. chris says:

    why they dont try changing luiz position and making him a defensive midfielder it may be a solution

  2. meetbenjo says:

    I think David luiz should be playd in either the defensive midfield role since he has the ability to pass the ball or the right full back position since he knows how to go forward and also cross. My prefared back four is Cole(LB), Terry(CB), Ivanovic(CB), Luiz(RB).

  3. MataOfFact says:

    Don’t get the obsession about playing him as a defensive midfielder. He still won’t be able to defend and will still keep giving away fouls.

    I had a discussion about it with a mate in a pub and he said at least Luiz won’t be fouling people so close to goal, but the point is that he shouldn’t be giving them away no matter where they are on the field.

    Romeu > Luiz when it comes to DM

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