David Luiz: How the Chelsea Defender Became One of the Best in Europe

Many football followers will remember transfer deadline day of January 2011 for Fernando Torres' £50 million transfer from Liverpool to Chelsea, and rightfully so. It was the British transfer record, after all. 

But another Chelsea signing slipped right through the net. Few seem to recall that a certain frizzy-haired Brazilian also made a significant career leap on the very same day.

Benfica defender David Luiz joined Chelsea in a £25 million deal, which saw reserve player Nemanja Matic move to the Lisbon-based club. This was the beginning of something great at Stamford Bridge.

While Torres was very much seen as the typical marquee signing made by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, due to the nature and the cost Luiz was the top transfer target for Carlo Ancelotti, who was in charge of the Blues at the time.

The Italian coach must have seen the potential in the Brazilian, splashing out a hefty amount that easily trounced the Blues' previous record transfer for a defender, which was their signing of Porto centre back Ricardo Carvalho for £19 million in 2004. 

It's fair to say Luiz had a bumpy start to his Chelsea career, giving away a 93rd-minute penalty—which was saved by Petr Cech—on his full debut during the 0-0 draw against Fulham.

But one brilliant aspect about having the madcap defender in the Premier League is that you always receive exhibitions of his best and worst qualities. Despite almost costing his side a crucial away point, Luiz was chosen as the Man of the Match for his overall performance.

It's easy to see how similar Carvalho and Luiz are. They are not just connected by their large transfer fees. Luiz operates with the same erratic style that made Carvalho a household name in the Premier League. This, however, can lead to him being caught out by the defence.

He always plays with a smile on his face and his attitude towards football is something to be admired, with the 26-year-old shedding tears after Chelsea's 1-0 defeat to Corinthians in the Club World Cup final.

The natural passion that Brazilian players have for the game highlights why signing players from the region usually pays off. Their work ethic, technical ability and desire to progress gives some insight into why Brazilians are so successful in the Premier League.

Luiz also represents the upcoming breed of modern style centre backs. Standing at 6'2", he possesses great ability in the air.  Despite his height, he shows confidence in his ability with the ball at his feet.

Additionally, having him play from the back is key to Chelsea's build-up. The ex-Vitoria man has shown on numerous occassions that he is capable of slicing the opposition open with a slick pass; the highlight being a pinpoint 60-yard pass to Fernando Torres, which the Spaniard finished, against Rubin Kazan.

No doubt the biggest improvement in David Luiz's game has been in the set-pieces department. Using his famed side-foot technique to strike the ball, Luiz has scored some stunning free-kicks, with his most recent coming in the final moments against FC Basel. The dip and swerve makes it difficult for goalkeepers to judge the flight of the ball. To his credit, Luiz rarely misses the target. 

Using a lethal combination of pace and determination, Luiz is one of the best defenders around when it comes to closing on an opposing player. But like every player, there are downsides to his game that continue to hinder him.

One of his main vulnerabilities—which can lead to him being exposed at the back—is his positioning. As the last man before the goalkeeper is called into action, Luiz is prone to leave gaping holes behind him as he charges down his opponent.

In which case, Rafa Benitez must be commended for his improvisation for moving Luiz in front of the defence. The reason behind pushing him into midfield, where he can operate as a deep-lying play-maker, is so that a more conservative defender like Branislav Ivanovic can hold his position without straying.

Obviously, it must be strange for Luiz to have already played under four managers since he moved to Chelsea two-and-a-half years ago. Nevertheless, the improvement under each manager is clear.

Perhaps his biggest step towards becoming a world class centre-back has been under the guidance of Benitez, therefore explaining why the Blues star continues to praise the Spanish coach despite his impending departure. 

Nevertheless, every player can improve. If rumours of Jose Mourinho's return to Chelsea (per Goal.com) are true, the Real Madrid coach could work with Luiz to enhance his attributes, allowing him to make the next step up at Stamford Bridge.

The world may see David Luiz as a lighthearted character, but inside there is a burning desire to compete with, and be, one of the best players in the world.