David Luiz Stars on Full Debut Despite Penalty

It is not often that my Chelsea man of the match concedes an injury time penalty that almost costs the club the match however the Fulham game was the exception to the rule.

Whilst the football world ponders the astuteness of the Fernando Torres the signing of Luiz passed seemingly unnoticed despite the Portuguese defenders continental reputation and price tag.

Luiz made his first start against Fulham and was generally magnificent, powerful and composed he was not only composed at the back but a real menace going forward as well at times operating as an additional striker as we tried to turn the screw in a game that by all rights we should have won.

He displayed a range of passing that reminded me of the early days of Frank Leboeuf’s time at the club when the Frenchman used to spray balls forward 40-50 yards to feet at whim. Back in the present day Luiz should have an assist to his name as on most days Torres would have slammed home his shot when put through by Luiz late in the first half.

The display was tempered by the clumsy penalty and he is certainly rough around the edges ( the penalty was not his only dubious tackle in the penalty area) but the early signs are that we let one world class defender go in the summer window and bought his replacement in the winter window.
May his good start continue!