Rio Ferdinand: Why Chelsea miss experienced 30-year-old
The Man United legend believes Chelsea have missed David Luiz's passing ability
Rio Ferdinand believes Chelsea miss David Luiz’s passing ability in Antonio Conte’s defence ahead of their trip to Liverpool on Saturday evening.
The Brazilian defender was controversially omitted from Conte’s starting line-up for Chelsea’s 1-0 win against title rivals Manchester United at Stamford Bridge before the international break.
Luiz’s replacement Andreas Christensen managed to tame Manchester United summer signing Romelu Lukaku at Stamford Bridge as the Denmark international was widely praised for his assured performance.
The Brazil international returned to the Chelsea team for Wednesday night’s 4-0 victory over Qarabag in Azerbaijan after his last appearance came in a 3-0 loss to AS Roma last month.
Luiz has scored two goals in 12 appearances in all competitions in the 2017-18 season so far.
Conte will have a tough decision to make at Anfield this weekend with Cesar Azpilicueta, Gary Cahill, Christensen and Luiz all vying for a starting spot in the Italian’s back three.
Former Manchester United defender Ferdinand opened up about the qualities that Luiz brings to the Chelsea team ahead of their trip to Liverpool at Andield next weekend.
“Playing out from the back, which Chelsea need to do, he’s the best at it in this squad,” Ferdinand told BT Sport. “Him coming back in will be seamless.”
Luiz sealed a return to Chelsea in a £32m deal from Ligue 1 side Paris Saint-Germain in the summer transfer window.
