It is a simple question—What do you do with David Luiz?
In his short time at Stamford Bridge, he has become somewhat of a cult figure through his ability to score impressive goals off deep runs through the heart of the midfield, as much as for his curly dreads that have been likened to Sideshow Bob.
If you want to liken him to another player, the easiest example would be his opponent last night, Everton’s Marouane Fellaini. Both are as well-known for their hair as for their play. As a matter of fact, both were very influential to the performance of the team. But they do differ in one minor respect...Fellaini doesn’t consistently cost Everton games!
Luiz established himself very early on in his Chelsea career. His arrival at Stamford Bridge last winter was overshadowed by the mega Torres deal. But in only his third game, he reached instant stardom by netting an equalizing goal on a half volley againstManchester United, with Frank Lampard scoring late to give the Blues a crucial win at the time.
For many Chelsea fans, that was their introduction to the Brazilian. We had all seen his name in the transfer lists, but none were really sure about how a tall, skinny 23-year-old would handle the transition from a league where defense is often left on the back burner to the physical personalities of England.
Apparently he would get along just fine. About three weeks later he would score his second goal, a header off a Lampard free kick, which secured a win against City to help them back on their way to challenging for the title.
Now let's jump forward two months from first moment where we all googled “David Luiz’ Hair.”
109708652_crop_340x234
On May 8th, 2011 Chelsea travelled to Old Trafford, and after clawing away at the Red Devils' strangle hold on the league, they entered the game three points back with the chance to leave on top of the table. Carlo Ancelotti had shown his faith in the better half of his winter signings and gave Luiz the start, as he had consistently proved that he was more than what he was expected to be.
The crowd of 75,000 was alive with the vigor of the closest thing to a Championship match in the English Premier League system. Everyone from the fans at home in London to the millions watching around the world, waking at the oddest of hours to tune in, awaited the whistle. It blew, and all of a sudden...United was up 1-0. And who was to blame…David Luiz.
Another recent signing, Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez (arguably the best winter signing in recent memory), got behind Luiz in the first minute and slotted the ball around Petr Cech. It was the worst of possible outcomes. Chelsea knew the game would be difficult, but now they were not only fighting the team but also the amazing force of 75,000 people cheering against you.
He got turned. He got beat. He was slow, out of position, asleep. All valid excuses, but none were acceptable to the Chelsea contingency. The allure of this charismatic figure vanished quicker than Chelsea’s hopes of salvaging their season as they went on to lose 2-0.
Many wondered who this player was, because this is not the Luiz we had come to know. He does not make these mistakes. He is a hero, an eventual replacement for the legendary John Terry.
But was he really this, or were we fooled by the glitz and glam of one moment in time—one instance of genius?
Minutes after he scored a simply stupendous goal, he was charged with a yellow card. Fair enough, a defender must make hard tackles tactically; it is part of the game.  But only moments later, he would lunge into the body of Wayne Rooney as he made an nonthreatening move through the midfield.Let’s go back to that game where he wrote himself into the place of the Chelsea history:
Howard Webb is typically deemed one of the best refs in the world, but the entire footballing community knows that was an idiotic challenge that deserved a second booking. And I mean everyone—from the 75,000 at Old Trafford whose roar seemingly lifted Fergie off the bench in protest, to Ancelotti who bit his lip and murmured under his breath 15 Hail Mary’s.
Nonetheless, Luiz came away from that game a hero. The man that helped the Blues get past their Red Demons. His tackles are mentioned in the write ups for the game but lost amongst the headlines (“David Luiz Quick to Win Chelsea Hearts with Undoubted Class” courtesy of the Observer), unless it was also coupled with Sir Alex’s justified tirade against the FA (“Sir Alex Ferguson Slams Referee as United lose to Chelsea”—The Guardian). Was this the first indication that Luiz is a double-edged sword? Hardly.
Go back about two and a half weeks, when Luiz made his first start in a Chelsea uniform. The Blues were visiting local rivals Fulham in what should have been a confidence-boosting win before the showdown up north. It was made a bit more tricky by the fact that an FA Cup and Champions League game were in between, but juggling a lineup with that much depth should not have been an issue.
130024328_crop_340x234
Luiz started brilliantly, making positive forward runs and a confident wall in the back. He played Torres through on one chance, but as we all know now he missed. He continued this for the full 90, deft touches, sure of himself and his place on his new team. Certainly making a case that he and not the bumbling fool up front who seemed to goof every single opportunity handed to him on a silver plate, was the better winter signing.
Then with a rationale that defies all logic, he goes crashing into Clint Dempsey for a penalty…in the last minute of the game! As we have had to so many times, our misery is saved by our Czech (get it?) keeper. He parried the penalty harmlessly away, and Chelsea came away with a disappointing 0-0 draw.
Just as I took a sigh of relief and reasoned that it could have been worse, I am angered by the most unfathomable little detail. David Luiz, the same man who had nearly cost Chelsea three points, was named man of the match?!
OK, so Luiz is only 24 years old and one of the youngest regular players on the squad. He is playing a position that is generally manned by veterans and the best training is simply experience. I get this, and it is the reason why I have not called for him to be pushed out to see in an oarless boat. But I think it is reasonable to question when this maturation will occur.
It is not quite the fact that Luiz makes mistakes that bugs me, but rather that he continually makes the same mistakes. His challenge against QPR’s Heiðar Helguson this past Sunday was a soft penalty indeed, but he went into his back needlessly. The best way to avoid penalties is simply not put yourself in a position where one can be awarded.
But again I find myself biting my tongue as I look back at the game and say, "Well, he did get forward a lot." That is the problem with how you judge a player like Luiz. He does the things he is not supposed to do well superbly but lacks the fundamental abilities of his position. This is why fans still rave about him—at least he is exciting to watch.Yesterday against Everton he again was the cause of a penalty and a goal. While he was not the one who conceded the penalty, his approach to the ball that led to it was questionable at best. Later on, very poor marking of Louis Saha let the Frenchman head in a cross. Both were avoidable, both changed the course of the game and neither should have happened.
Was I the only one who believed that a defender's play is based on the opponent's score line and not his team's? Is it not true that a striker can have an awful 89 minutes, but that one touch that gives his team the lead redeems him? Would that not be vice versa for a defender?
Many have begun to wonder why he plays center-back. Wouldn’t he be better deployed as a defensive midfielder or wing-back? It is no secret Chelsea would love to add depth to either of those positions, and it would give Luiz much more room to play his aggressive style without taking him out of his comfort zone.
But this has not happened. There must be something that Villas-Boas knows that we do not. Perhaps Luiz only wants to play in the back, but I think it is foolish to suggest that Chelsea management has not already entertained the idea.
The fact remains that something must happen. We are not talking about someone brought through the academy or a youth player purchased for a few quid. Luiz cost Chelsea £21 million, significantly less than stars like Nicolas Anelka, Florent Malouda, Branislav Ivanovic and Ashley Cole. Meanwhile, the likes of Didier Drogba, Michael Essien and Juan Mata were only a couple million more.
As much criticism that has befallen the name of Torres for not living up to his financial standards, I believe the same should be questioned about Luiz. I am not writing this to be contentious and garnish reads. If I wanted to do that I would write something on, oh I don’t know maybe, “John Terry: 5 Reasons Why Chelsea and John Terry Need to Part Ways.”
I am simply offering up an opinion to the contrary. Luiz is young and has a long way to go, but right now I doubt few if any Chelsea fans would feel comfortable with him heading the back line when it is all on the line.