Without sounding smug…OK, sounding smug, I wrote before the January transfer window of Chelsea’s need to bring in one or two players who would add youthful vitality to a somewhat tired and familiar starting eleven, but who already had the necessary experience that would allow their bedding in period to be as short as possible.
Yesterday the inspired new signing David Luiz scored his second crucial goal against teams above Chelsea in the table – the Manchesters United and City – and was joined by fellow Brazilian Ramires, whose deft turn, dribble and finish announced his delayed arrival at Chelsea.
The ‘forcing’ of Fernando Torres on Carlo Ancelotti by Roman Abramovich is reminiscent of the ill-fated signing of Andrei Shevchenko, but given the Spaniard’s Premier League record it is destined to have a happier ending, whether that happens later rather than sooner or not. Torres, Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka, at a combined cost to Abramovich of £89m, have scored just one goal between them in the six games since Torres’ arrival yet Chelsea have made progress despite this.
In my opinion the arrival of Luiz has been the, and not just one of the, reasons for this. Goals aside, this frizzy-haired bundle of energy has produced a tangible reaction in the determination and work-rate in his team-mates, helping to exorcise the ghost of Christmas lethargy that haunted the club around the tune of the year. I could even speculate that the arrival of a familiar face and fellow compatriot has been beneficial to the mentality of Ramires, whose increased confidence as he waltzed through Joleon Lescott, Aleksander Kolarov and Petr Cech to score Chelsea’s second yesterday afternoon was there for all to see.
Luiz has also produced a positive reaction among the Chelsea fans. He has the flaws we Europeans expect of Brazilian defenders, being relatively attack-minded, positionally suspect and rash in his challenges at times (just ask Alex Ferguson). He also goes about his game with complete conviction and a never-say-die attitude that lifts the fans; already a terrace hero for his goals, he has influenced the Stamford Bridge faithful perhaps more than they themselves realise.
With Luiz in central defence alongside John Terry, Chelsea’s defence is much more versatile and capable of handling an array of different styles of attacker. Although Alex is an excellent defender, he won his starting place by default with the departure of Ricardo Carvalho, and he and Terry are of a similar mould, too similar to be one of the world’s best partnership. Terry has the calm head and leadership to Luiz’s mobility and hyperactivity.
Both Terry and Luiz are dangerous from set-pieces, and have scored three goals between them since the Brazilian’s arrival (or three times more than the aforementioned trio of strikers). Rather than being led from the front by the £50m investment of Torres, Luiz has sneaked into Stamford Bridge through the back door to make the difference from the back.
Three crucial wins in the last three league games, and Chelsea have climbed up to third place with Arsenal and Manchester United still to face each other, with just six points to make it up to the summit should they win their game in hand on United. Suddenly things are looking up at Chelsea, and this is by no small part due to Luiz’s arrival. Luiz is the light, and he has finally guided his team-mates from their dark days.
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