Everyone knows that a soccer player usually has a defined position to play, and this position becomes his identity if he performs well there. Brazilian attacking players are one of those who love to stick to their natural positions. Brazilian striker David Luiz, who also plays for English club Chelsea, faces similar problems when he plays at central defense, coz he is a born striker; perhaps he suffered many injuries in that position due to his attacking tendency. Now, Chelsea’s temporary boss Rafael Benitez has decided to use him at midfield along with John Terry once Terry returns from his injury. Notably, Terry is out of the game ever since he got an injury last November. However, for the time being, or until Terry returns, Luiz will continue playing on his familiar role of central defense. Actually, Luiz has seen making many critical mistakes at defense when he tries to run forward leaving an escape in Chelsea’s defense, and that is why Benitez is forced to look out an alternate position to use him without pinching any hole in defense.
The first time when Benitez used Luiz on center back was in club World Cup match against Monterrey, and he is since being used continuously there. Anyways, tomorrow, Chelsea is to clash with Aston Villa and it will be interesting to see if Benitez risks and uses him in a new position despite non-availability of Terry in there. Overall, Spanish manager is eager to see him in a new avatar, he said, “I encourage him to try things. I would be really worried if a player is not trying things in the final third. He’s a player who likes to play and wants to help and win. He likes to be seen, to take a risk where it’s necessary.
“At centre-back, you make one mistake and everyone sees. In midfield, it’s easier. He likes to play and enjoys keeping the ball, passing the ball and going forward. It’s easier for him than centre-back. If he adjusts those things at centre-back, he will be even better.”
Terry injury is becoming worse than it was predicted earlier, and for that reason, he will not even be a part of Chelsea’s Christmas celebrations. Though, Terry participated in training session yesterday, but he did not actively practice anything; hence Benitez looks very much unsure about when he would return in Chelsea’s main squad. Precisely, it has more than one and half months passed by Terry did not play any match coz of his knee problem.