Early in the season I thought Luiz and Lamps were terrific in midfield and for the life of me can't understand why we haven't paired them more often. Tonight they did it again. The flow from the back 4 to the front men was there, Luiz gave some great ball for the forwards to use, though for once, they wasted lots of chances. Lamps was a menace all night, and played his natural game, because Luiz had things under control. In the long term, I think 1. Frank should get another year if he wants it. 2. Luiz is a future captain and a vital player for us. He is a natural, goal scoring player with skill and vision, and there aren't too many of them. 3. Our team is in a different league when the midfield performs. Forget strikers, it's a midfielder we desperately need.
I have been fighting off the idiots all season that have lambasted Luiz for not being a central defender etc. Its plain that some find it hard to see class when they see it and say stupid things when they are upset that results haven't been as good as they should. Hear this now!! Luiz will be the next Chelsea legend in our defence and we will have trouble keeping him if we don't buck up soon. Like Ramires and Dave is now starting to play well at right back too and with Cole/Bertrand, Cahill, Terry & Ivan we have the makings of champions next year as Fergies team of muppets decline further.
Der Bild in Germany is claiming Jose to Chelsea is a done deal. If so, I hope he doesn't unravel too much of the building we have done quite well this year. If he rates Luiz, he is just the man to develop him further.
If Jose does come back and takes on these players we will dominate Europe like Barcelona had for so many years.
Not only did Luiz and Lamps look effective in midfield but our back 4 looked rock solid as well! Considering we had Bertrand and Cahill sitting it out I cant see any good reason why Luiz should ever return to the back 4!
agree Luiz is class but was a bit sloppy last night think Midfield suits him best suppose got to give a bit of credit to Rafa for playing him there with the right manager I think the signs are promising for next season
Wouldn't be so sure of that. He's not dominating with Real, who have arguably better players (on paper), so nothing to suggest he would dominate with us. Besides, these things go in cycles and strong evidence is that Germany are now in the ascendancy - Mourinho has been knocked out of the CL for two seasons in a row by a German team. If Jose does come, he should just focus on building a team around Luiz (in defence) and Mata and returning us to a yearly haul of 85-90 points per season. 71 points 2 years ago, 64 points last year, and around 70 points this year simply isn't good enough in the Abramovich era.
My biggest concern with Luiz, is his temperament. He continues to make reckless challenges and is keen on a heavy should barge / arms flailing. Some of the "tackles" he makes are bordering on nasty, and I don't think it is a case of enthusiasm or mis-timing. Hopefully, over time, he'll stop this, otherwise he'll be remembered for ending someones career, rather than a great footballer.
The minute I saw the line up last night I felt much happier. I prefer Luiz and Lampard together in the middle they suit each other's way of play. Luiz in defence makes me panic.
I've always preferred Luiz in defence. The problem with Luiz in midfield is that it almost gives him licence to be more reckless in possession. In defence is forced to be more disciplined, yet he still has scope to use his outstanding passing range.
