Why Chelsea's David Luiz Has Been My Favourite Premier League Player This Season

Chelsea's visit to Newcastle United was a no-brainer for the neutrals. The ever-popular Toon Army are in fine form, and with Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas under pressure, most of us tuned in hoping to witness another strike against the Roman Ambramovich empire.

Who better to deliver it than Newcastle—the undisputed Premier League team of the people?

Outside of Sunderland, where animosity is born purely out of geography, the Toon Army are held in almost universally warm regard by football fans in England. Some point towards the unswerving loyalty of their supporters, others the bold, occasionally naive, attacking principles they've upheld over the years. Who can forget the Kevin Keegan team who forgot about defending and almost won a title with a "you-score-five-we'll-score-six" mentality?

Whatever their appeal, Chelsea certainly don't share it. Abramovich's vast riches have fostered feelings of animosity towards the west Londoners, and their standing has certainly not been helped by the classless behaviour of some of the most prominent players in recent years. When you've got John Terry and Ashley Cole in your dressing room, you make yourself rather hard to love.

But in David Luiz, Chelsea have a player who's winning us over, and threatening to achieve the unthinkable. Whisper it gently, but when Luiz is playing, there's a part of me that wants Chelsea to win games.

In case you've missed him, Luiz is the shaggy-haired Brazilian central defender who's been savaged by the critics this season for his frequent mistakes and rash behaviour. He looks like Sideshow Bob from The Simpsons, and Gary Neville said he played as if controlled "by a 10-year-old playing PlayStation."

But for all his dips in concentration and propensity for recklessness (he should have been red-carded against Newcastle), Luiz remains a wonderfully exciting proposition for the neutrals. I'd go so far to say he's my favourite player to watch in the Premier League this season, and here are three reasons why.

Firstly, he's one of a small handful of defenders with the confidence and ability to launch out of defence with the ball at his feet. Against Newcastle, he drove forward several times, cutting a swathe through midfield and turning defence into attack in a matter of seconds. Ambition personified.

Secondly, he scores goals. If you need a reminder, take a look at this stunning effort against Bayer Leverkusen, which demonstrates everything there is to love about Luiz, and provides every incentive for Chelsea to stay patient with him.

Thirdly, he's a player with the belief and conviction to withstand fierce criticism and maintain a determination to prove people wrong. “The move was very easy for me because I have no fear,” Luiz said of his transfer from Benfica.

It's not often you say this in relation to the Ambramovich-era Chelsea, but there's an underdog story to be told here. Luiz cost €25 million, and writers like me have been queuing up to make him the expensive poster child for Villas-Boas' failures at Chelsea this season. But in doing so, we're overlooking the fact Luiz could hold the key to a new identity for the club.

Here is potentially the most exciting defender in world football, representing a Chelsea team intent on getting on the front foot and forcing the issue at home, and in Europe. I for one can't get enough of him, and if Villas-Boas maintains the faith, Luiz can bring a new popularity to the club in the years to come.

He might look like Bob, but David Luiz is no sideshow.