Defender David Luiz surprisingly chose to leave Chelsea and join London rivals Arsenal during the current summer transfer window.
Luiz had been a long-standing servant for the Blues and it was more or less certain that he would be leading the defence under new Chelsea manager Frank Lampard.
So naturally, it came as a shock to many when Lampard chose to sell him off even though the former Blues midfielder made it clear that there was no falling out between the pair.
The manager said: “We had some conversations over the last week, honest ones and the conclusion was that he should move on.
![[FILE] Liverpool’s Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Salah (L) runs with the ball as Arsenal’s Brazilian defender Gabriel closes in during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in London. (Photo by Catherine Ivill / POOL / AFP)](https://www.afriupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/000_97B779-scaled-e1703231851386-120x86.jpg "Liverpool host Arsenal in battle for Premier League Christmas No. 1 3")
“It’s a position that I have a lot of competition. Everyone has to understand that. He has moved on and we wish him the absolute best because he has been a big part of our history.
“There wasn’t any strikes. No fall-outs, just honest conversations. As a player, I want that as a manager, and I think I got that from David.
“Him not training was a decision I made as I felt that is what I made at the time. You can’t dictate too much what happens at times. The decision was that he moves on to Arsenal and I focus on here. Yes, he is a good player.”
Now though there are some reports which are claiming that the real reason why Frank chose to sell off David Luiz was because of his eagerness to play constant long balls.
As per the report, the centre-back used the long-ball tactic constantly during a pre-season game vs Red Bull Salzburg which is when the manager made up his mind to let him leave.
Surprisingly this long-ball playing ability is one of the main reasons why Unai Emery probably brought in David Luiz this summer.
Emery wants defenders who can start play from the back but at the same time, he also wants to use the pace of Aubameyang and Lacazette in trying to beat the offside trap.
And David Luiz is a kind of player who can help achieve both these things.
So when Lampard wants his team to keep the ball on the ground and build on tactical passes, Emery wants to use David Luiz to perhaps unlock opposition defences using a long overhead ball.
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