It’s been an eventful 3 months for Chelsea’s newest darling, David Luiz.

Since coming to Stamford Bridge he’s won two massive games with his scoring. His goal against Manchester United made him an instant terrace favorite. Fans had sprouted Sideshow Bob wigs by the time he repeated the deed against Manchester City.

There’s a lot to love about David Luiz as a central defender.

He has good size and strength; excellent speed and agility; he’s nimble on his feet; he heads the ball well. He’s extremely aggressive. He plays hard. He’s an attacking threat.

And he could help extended John Terry’s career. With his ability to cover ground, Terry’s lack of pace is protected.

Sounds great.

So why were Benfica playing him at left back?

It may be that David Luiz’s temperament and judgment aren’t well suited to being the last line of defense.

His first instinct when confronted with the ball is to charge at it. He likes to body-up against his man and poke a toe at the ball. He doesn’t instinctively fall back and maintain his position between the ball and his goal.

This natural aggressiveness has already been a problem. Too often he allows the man and the ball to get behind him.

His poor challenge at midfield on a John Walters breakaway at Stoke City cost Chelsea a goal. Against West Bromwich Albion he shared the blame for a goal. Rather than falling back, he stepped into the middle of a Morrison to Thomas movement up the middle and missed the ball. Odemwingie was released behind the defense and scored.

And he’s a bit of a monster at giving away penalties. In just 9 games he’s already conceded two, against Fulham and Birmingham City. Both were sloppy, unnecessary, over-aggressive challenges.

See the pattern here?

That’s probably why Luiz wasn’t a center-back for Benfica. What we’re seeing in England matches the scouting report we got from Portugal.

This is who David Luiz is, the good and the bad.

Given that central defense isn’t a place where you can afford mistakes, it seems reasonable to ask the question that was asked and answered at the Estadio da Luz: should Luiz play a position other than center-back?
Let’s consider the options. Left back is locked-up by Ashley Cole. But Chelsea have a problem at right back. Luiz has a pretty decent right foot, as Manchester United can attest. Perhaps Ivanovic can move back to his preferred role in the center of the defense, where he’s been a rock. And Chelsea can exploit Luiz’s speed and skill by putting him at right back. He certainly has the pace to take on defenders.

Or he could move up the pitch a bit as a holding midfielder. make a mistake there and it isn’t as costly as at the back. And his attacking flair could add a dimension to the position that neither Mikel nor Essien have been able to muster this season.

So let’s put the question to you.

Given his strengths and his weaknesses, where would you play David Luiz?

 

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