Chelsea’s versatile defender David Luiz’s days at Stamford Bridge appear to be numbered following an altercation with boss Antonio Conte. The Brazilian star who was brought back to Chelsea from Paris St. Germain by the Italian coach last season, had been an ever present in Chelsea’s backline since his arrival. Luiz’s display in the middle of Chelsea’s three man defence had drawn so much praise from fans and neutrals alike and earned him a well deserved place in the PFA team of the year for the 2016/17 premier league season as he helped the Blues cruise to the premier league title,their second in three seasons, in Antonio Conte’s first season in charge, after finishing 8th the previous year.
Things however took a turn for the worse, when in the aftermath of Chelsea’s 3:0 demolition at the hands of AS Roma in the Champions League, Luiz had questioned his manager’s tactics on the night. Conte, in his usual no-nonsense style gave the former Benfica defender, whose loss of possession in midfield had led to Roma’s second goal, a full dressing down and seemingly not done went on to leave him out of the squad that faced Manchester United in the Blues next game.
The Italian’s decision to leave Luiz on the bench for United’s visit to Stamford Bridge was ultimately vindicated as Chelsea totally dominated Jose Mourinho’s side in an emphatic 1:0 win. Andreas Christensen, the man tasked with replacing Luiz, produced a virtuoso performance belying his age in the game as he kept Lukaku largely at bay throughout the game and helped build up play from the back.
Since the Roma game, Luiz has only started a game for Chelsea once–in Chelsea’s penultimate Champions League game which they trounced Quarabag by four unreplied goals to seal their passage to the next phase of the competition with a game to spare.
Last week Chelsea through an official statement said the Brazil International’s absence was due to an inflammation in his knee, for which he was receiving day to day treatment. The Club’s hierarchy were however unable to place a timeline for 30 year old’s return which has led to speculation suggesting Conte’s and Luiz’s differences may have now crossed the rubicon. English tabloid–the Mirror–in an exclusive report revealed that the defender may be out of Stamford Bridge as early as next month and Italian Champions, Juventus, have been touted as a possible destination for the star whose 50 million Pounds transfer fee to Paris St. Germain was once a world record transfer sum for a defender. The Italian side are said to be readying a transfer bid of £22 million for the defender who will be a perfect replacement for the departed Leonardo Bonucci who left for AC Milan last summer.
Meanwhile Manchester United are also rumoured to hold an interest in the Brazilian as they look for a replacement for star centre back–Eric Baily–who is set to miss two to three months of action following an ankle surgery. It remains to be seen if Chelsea hierarchy, heavily criticised for sanctioning Matic’s move to the Red Devils in the Summer, will consider losing another member of their title winning team to a direct rival.