David Luiz: World-Class Talent or Defensive Liability?

He is one of the most divisive players in the Premier League, with his jovial off-pitch demeanour often adding to the impression that he is not serious about his work. David Luiz, though, has his admirers within the very top echelons of world football.

Now 26, the defender himself will no doubt admit that he made mistakes in his early days in English football, having joined Chelsea from Benfica in January 2011.

He was an impressive technical defender but his positional awareness was raw—a fact highlighted by some ropey showings against the league's more intelligent strikers, such as Manchester United's Javier Hernandez.

There can be no doubting, though, that he has improved over the past two-and-a-half years. While not yet a complete defender, he is well on the way to being so.

While many will point to his spell in midfield last campaign as being a sign that he was not trusted at centre-back, it is perhaps more valid to suggest that he was simply a better player at the base of the midfield than John Obi Mikel.

With Luiz, though, the debate will never be simple. There are those who are adamant that he is sensationally good at his job, while others insist that he lacks the mental attributes needed to be a top defender.

Most within football, though, would suggest that Luiz is among the best natural defenders in European football—even if he is still in need of refinement.

The facts are that Luiz made just two defensive errors last season, with neither leading to a goal. That is a statistic that places him on a par with players such as Rio Ferdinand and Gary Cahill, while also ranking him better than much-praised defenders Ashley Williams and Laurent Koscielny, for example.

Interestingly, for someone who supposedly struggles positionally, he also compares favourably with the quartet in terms of interceptions made last season. While Williams made a phenomenal 110 over the course of the season, Luiz clocked in at 72—considerably more than the others.

It could be argued that playing in midfield gives you more opportunity to make interceptions, with a large portion of the match taking place in those areas. Seven of the 10 players with the most interceptions last season, though, were defenders. The argument doesn't hold up.

Given his positional changes throughout last season, it is difficult to draw too many conclusions from direct comparisons—but we can at least say that he performed well in areas where he is often criticised.

Aerially and in one-on-one confrontations, he is among the best around. With impressive natural physical attributes, when at his best Luiz is able to simply bully opposition strikers. Indeed, he looks to draw his opposite number into a physical battle when possible.

More often than not, he will win out.

There is, though, still some improvement for him to make in this regard. Despite his dominance in such battles, he must also contain his eagerness. Even in the Confederations Cup, when he was generally excellent, there were times when he would give away unnecessary free-kicks by getting too tight to his opponent.

It is such actions that make people accuse Luiz of being a liability when he isn't. What he is, though, is occasionally immature in his approach. But he is improving.

He is less inclined to rush out of defence in an attempt to steal the ball than in previous years, and it has made him a better defender.

There is still some way for the Brazilian to go to maximise his potential, but he is already a very impressive defender who will continue to be important for club and country for some time to come.

Physically and technically, Luiz has all the attributes to be the best defender in world football. What he must do, though, is continue to work on his judgement and reading of the game.

He can make mistakes, but which defender doesn't? His errors are not as plentiful as some would have you think.