As Brazil continues to host the Confederations Cup, Premier League teams will have a number of their scouts in the country searching for new players to sign, while also keeping an eye on their own players. Ten years ago, there were hardly any Brazilians and Spaniards in the Premier League, but nowadays almost every team in the top four has at least a Spaniard in their ranks.
After Bayern Munich completely exposed Barcelona, and in particular their defense, in last season's UEFA Champions League semifinals, it became clear that the Spanish side, widely considered to be the best team in the world before the two-legged embarrassment dealt by Bayern, was far from complete.
As Jose Mourinho sets to embark on another maiden voyage with Chelsea this upcoming season, he must keep ahold of Brazilian midfielder David Luiz. Luiz offered both stability and versatility to Rafa Benitez this past term as he was used as both a center back alongside Branislav Ivanovic while also featuring more prominently in the midfield alongside Juan Mata and Ramires.
One problem it seems that we have ALWAYS had is comments and quotes made by our overseas players when they are away from Chelsea whether it's on International duty or back to their homeland for holidays etc. These quotes made are either miss-interpreted or used to create unnecessary gossip regarding their future at the club.
Brazil's much-criticized Confederations Cup squad has gathered in Rio de Janeiro, ahead of Sunday's crucial friendly against England.
The squad's European-based players like David Luiz, Hulk, Julio Cesar and Lucas Moura arrived in the city on Wednesday, and for the first time, the zany Chelsea defender (above) actually appeared depressed.
With the summer transfer window approaching, the Blues have been linked with a slew of superstars across world football. Their managerial situation has been sorted out, with Jose Mourinho signing on at the Stamford Bridge outfit for four years, and the Portuguese tactician can now begin to compile his list of transfer targets that can take this team to the next level.
Footballers' contracts usually have a long list telling them things they aren't allowed to do. We would have thought driving a cart round like this with two team-mates on board is one of the items on that list. Chelsea star David Luiz did a bit of off-roading at the club's Cobham training ground this week, [.
A young Liverpool fan desperate to meet hero Fernando Torres ended up becoming part of Chelsea's Europa League trophy presentation. Louis Kearns, aged 11, had been at the match with his dad. As Chelsea's players made their way past Louis' seat, he was desperate to get up close and personal with Torres and former Liverpool [.
The location. The two giant clubs clashing. The Europa League final promises to be a night to remember. Benfica have to pick themselves up after possibly conceding the Liga Sagres title in the 92nd minute in their 2-1 loss to Porto.
Tomorrow night Chelsea take on Benfica in Amsterdam in the THIRD major European final in SIX years. After having injury doubts over Eden Hazard and John Terry, both have travelled today and a decision will be taken by Rafa Benitez after our training session tonight.
Hopefully both will make it through and will be available to bolster Rafa's options but ahead of the session tonight, I wanted to ask the Chelsea faithful their thoughts on who should start the game?
Ronaldinho (right) will be sitting out the Confederations Cup
Luis Felipe Scolari has announced his 23 man squad for the Confederations Cup, which kicks off when Brazil take on Japan in Brasília 15th June. Before then, the seleção will play friendlies against England in Rio June 2nd and France in Porto Alegre 9th June.
Ronaldinho (right) will be sitting out the Confederations Cup
Info on Brazil x England tickets here
Luis Felipe Scolari has announced his 23 man squad for the Confederations Cup, which kicks off when Brazil take on Japan in Brasília 15th June. Before then, the seleção will play friendlies against England in Rio June 2nd and France in Porto Alegre 9th June.
Eden Hazard of Chelsea (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Chelsea will travel to Villa Park on Saturday to take on Aston Villa in a crucial match for The Blues in their quest for a spot in next season's Champions League.
Coming off a disappointing 2-2 draw at home with Tottenham on Wednesday, Chelsea must finish the season strong if they want to remain in the top four.
David Luiz has had a busy week of winding up opposition supporters. The latest installment of the Chelsea defender's exploits involved listening in to tactical instructions being given to Lewis Holtby by Spurs manager Andre Villas Boas. Taking his man-marking duties to the extreme, Luiz followed Holtby to the touchline and eavesdropped on the conversation.
Let's review the facts. Before Manchester United's match against my Chelsea team on the 5th of May, Sir Alex Ferguson wrote in the matchday program, "I certainly don't have any plans at the moment to walk away." Then I beat him 1-0 and David Luiz laughed at him. This was the second time I beat his team this season.
Moussa Dembele of Tottenhm (Image Courtesy of totaltottenham.com)
On Wednesday, Chelsea will host Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge in a vital match for both sides. A win for Chelsea could bring them that much closer to second place, while Tottenham could rise to fourth place and a subsequent UEFA Champions League qualifying spot should they get the full three points.
Chelsea's 1-0 win against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday has been overshadowed by David Luiz smiling after getting kicked by Rafael in the final minutes of the match. The Man United defender was sent off for the blatant offense and Luiz was accused of nefarious play acting all because of his grin.
In my weekly column on SWOL, I take a look back at the weekend's English Premier League and domestic cup action and the talking points that it throws up, as well as any significant news related to English football at large. Follow me@theredarmchairfor regular updates throughout the week.
EPL Round 36 Recap: United Get Complacent, City Bore, Merseyside Underwhelms
Last weekend's draw against Arsenal confirmed that Manchester United wouldn't break Chelsea's all-time Premier League points record, so naturally, Sir Alex Ferguson decided to play a weakened team to treat his Old Trafford crowd to a home loss against Chelsea.
David Luiz's smile distracts from the real issue - originally posted on Soccerlens.com
It was all over in about ten seconds, but Rafael's red card against Chelsea on Sunday has proved to be a hot talking point in almost every sphere of footballing discussion. Managers, pundits, fans, and journalists have all waded into the debate over whether David Luiz, no stranger to controversy this season, instigated the sending off with a dive and a smile.
With only two weeks remaining in the Premier League season, Chelsea are peaking at the right time in complete control of their own destiny for Champions League football, and set to not only finish 3rd (or 4th) but also ... Continue reading →
Chelsea defender David Luiz enjoyed a little giggle to himself after Manchester United right-back Rafael kicked him during yesterday's 0-1 win for the Blues at Old Trafford. Luiz earned a place on United manager Sir Alex Ferguson's naughty list for the incident. But given that Fergie has found it in his heart to work alongside [.
Following Chelsea's 1-0 victory over United last night and dubious diving allegations directed at David Luiz (who doesn't dive these days, anyway?) a crossed Sir Alex Ferguson has branded him a "diving swan". Tranquilo, Fergie you've already won the league title!
In defence of David Luiz, the 26-year-old defender doesn't really know when not to laugh.
In the last few minutes of Manchester United's game against Chelsea today, Chelsea defender David Luiz got into a tussle with Manchester United right back Rafael da Silva. The end result was Da Silva whacking out at Luiz's legs, which sent the Chelsea player to the ground, clutching his knees.
While Da Silva thoroughly deserved to receive the red card from referee Howard Webb, Luiz will have won very few fans by his sheepish grin and smile he gave while laying on the Old Trafford pitch.
Though Chelsea's visit to Old Trafford was ultimately meaningless for Manchester United as they've already claimed the Premier League title and hung the championship banners, it was important for the visitors. Looking to lock down third place and a spot in the Champions League, Chelsea got off to a mediocre start that rambled into the second half.
Chelsea are no selling club, far from it as we all know but there is a saying that "everyone has their price" and the situation with David Luiz could become more than a worry this summer.
As reported this time last season, Barcelona were interested in signing David Luiz and a fee of around £35m was being talked about.
Following on from their 5-2 aggregate victory over FC Basel during midweek, Chelsea can only hope to build on their Europa League final berth by recording what might be an even more impressive win at Manchester United this weekend.
By now, the two teams are very well acquainted having met on no less than four occasions this season, Sunday's fixture at Old Trafford being the fifth.
After an initial scare, Chelsea ultimately eased past FC Basel to reach the Europa League final. The perfect visualisation of that easy progression was David Luiz's goal, the Blues' third of the night. The Brazilian effortlessly curled the ball into the net from 30 yards. Basel keeper Yann Sommer didn't even move.
Video- David Luiz goal vs Basel Europa League May 2013 is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter
Video- David Luiz goal vs Basel Europa League May 2013 is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter This stunning David Luiz goal vs Basel was the highlight of Chelsea's 3-1 win over the Swiss outfit in the second leg of their Europa League semifinal on May 2, 2013.
Though it proved unnecessary as Chelsea beat Basel 3-1 in the second leg of their Europa League semifinal to advance with a 5-2 aggregate score, David Luiz scored yet another brilliant goal with enviable ease. In the 59th minute at Stamford Bridge, Frank Lampard laid the ball off for Luiz well outside the box and the Brazilian curled a shot that dipped down from the top corner in a way that probably made David Beckham jealous.
Two teams that began the season in the Champions League will be meeting in the Europa League final on May 15 in Amsterdam.
Following a one-goal deficit at the half, Chelsea hit three in a row including a David Luiz golazo to win easily over Swiss side FC Basel 5-2 on aggregate at Stamford Bridge while Benfica, who trailed 1-0 coming into the match, got two goals from forward Oscar Cardozo to defeat Fenerbahce at the Estadio da Luz, 3-1, on the night and 3-2, on aggregate in the Europa League semifinals.
Chelsea have just eased past Basel and into the Europa League Final (where they'll play Benfica), with the Blues' night capped in supreme style by David Luiz's effortless, pinpoint top-corner curler to put his side 3-1 up...
Chelsea have reached their twelfth major final during Roman Abramovich's reign after Brazilian David Luiz scored a scorcher of a goal to put the game out of FC Basel's reach in the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg.
With a goal that looked like it was going to be teed up for Frank Lampard, David Luiz decided to have a crack at goal instead, which he took beautifully and curled the ball into the corner of the net.
Chelsea are one step away from reaching the 2012-13 Europa League Final if they can overcome Basel today at Stamford Bridge.
With a 2-1 aggregate lead thanks to a last gasp goal from David Luiz, Chelsea will want to improve defensively to prevent the Swiss side from getting a crucial away goal (or more) against the Blues.
If there's one thing most Chelsea fans complain about it's our link man. Someone who can sit deep in midfield and link defence to attack with a killer pass and quickly at that.
This season and under Rafa Benitez, Chelsea have managed to find that with David Luiz when he has been pushed further forward into one of the two deeper midfield positions.
Business class on a Turkish Airlines flight is more fun than a day with David Luiz at the puppy, candy and firework factory: sometimes you might see Wayne Rooney kick footballs at Bobby Charlton's head while Paul Scholes disapprovingly reads a broadsheet newspaper, other times you might see Kobe Bryant needlessly compete with Leo Messi for the attention of a small child.
In a game that was in danger of not being played, Sunday's match in Rio de Janeiro produced fireworks and provided a great test for both sides. The two teams faced off earlier this year at Wembley, a game that England won by a score of 2-1 behind goals from Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard. The year's second fixture between these two footballing powerhouses offered Brazil the chance to even the score and playing at the legendary Maracana, Luiz Felipe Scolari's men wanted to give the fans a show.
As the season draws to a close the voting opens to decide who the club's player and player's player of the year is, as well as who scored the goal of the season. These are official awards presented by Chelsea, but what I'm interested in today is who our (unofficial) most improved player is. I'm going to put forward 5 nominations and let you make you choice between them.
As you would have all seen by now, David Luiz is taking huge amounts of stick because of this image above. Some people are moaning about the fact that he is smiling and because he stayed on the floor which people believe influenced Howard Webb's decision to send Rafael off!
