2006-07 – Vitória
2007-11 – Benfica
2011-14 – Chelsea
2014-16 – Paris Saint-Germain
2016-19 – Chelsea
2019-21 – Arsenal
2021-Present – Flamengo
David Luiz has been one of the most polarising footballers over the last decade, especially while playing in the Premier League. With the Brazilian currently playing in his home country for Flamengo, he has become a player we have started to forget.
In the Vitória youth set-up, David Luiz used to play in the midfield. The youth director at Vitória Joao Paulo Sampaio was going to release Luiz but then thought the Brazilian could operate within a three-at-the-back formation as a “libero”. The “libero” role is when a player is positioned behind the last line of defence operating as a sweeper. A “libero” would often initiate attacks which suited David Luiz’s play style as he was confident on the ball and had great ball distribution. Luiz thrived in this role which led him to be transferred to Portuguese giants Benfica in 2007. At Benfica Luiz made a name for himself as his game progressed to become one of the best young defenders across Europe.
All the massive clubs across Europe were looking to sign Luiz but in 2011 for twenty-five million euros Luiz made the switch to west London to play for Chelsea. Luiz would have a successful stint at Chelsea as he managed to be a major contributor to Chelsea's Champions League and Europa League triumphs in 2012 and 2013. Despite this, during Luiz's time at Chelsea, he came under a great deal of scrutiny due to his risk-taking. Luiz would often venture forwards on attacks however this would often leave gaps in the defence which left the Chelsea defenders often isolated. Even with all the criticism, Luiz was still a highly rated defender, this resulted in French giants Paris Saint-Germain in 2014 to pay fifty million euros for the Brazilian signature which was a world record fee for a defender at the time. Later that same summer David Luiz would head to the Brazil World Cup which would change the way people perceived Luiz as a whole.
Brazil advanced to the semi-finals of the World Cup that year with David Luiz playing a significant role. In the game against Colombia in the quarterfinals he scored a free kick to send Brazil to the semi-finals to face Germany. With Thiago Silva injured, David Luiz would be appointed as captain for Brazil for the game. Brazil was humiliated on home soil as they lost the game 7-1 with a substantial amount of blame going towards David Luiz. This game arguably tarnished his career as it sparked numerous discussions regarding the qualities and traits of his game.
Moving to France allowed David Luiz to block out the criticism and develop his overall game. Playing alongside Brazilian teammate Thiago Silva they formed a solid partnership in Paris as in Luiz’s two years in France he would go on to win every domestic trophy. Luiz had made great strides in his game and felt as if he had unfinished business in the Premier League as he didn’t manage to lift the trophy in his first tenure. On deadline day August 31st, 2016, David Luiz returned to West London to play for Chelsea under the new management of Italian coach Antonio Conte.
Chelsea early into the season would switch to playing a three-at-the-back formation after a rocky start to the season. Luiz would be deployed in the middle of the back three which was reminiscent of his time in Vitória where he was a “libero”. In this system, David Luiz would grow to become one of the best defenders in the league that campaign. With the defensive cover of England’s Gary Cahill and Spain’s César Azpilicueta, Luiz would be able to step out of defence to show his ability on the ball and elite passing range. Chelsea would go on to achieve 93 points which would crown the London side Premier League champions for the 2016/17 Premier League season. David Luiz silenced the critics this campaign as he was selected to be in the PFA team of the season for his outstanding play.
After two more seasons at Chelsea Luiz would go on to win the FA Cup in 2018 and in 2019 win the Europa League for the second time. Luiz would then make the switch across London to play for Arsenal under Spanish coach Unai Emery. Although Luiz would win an FA Cup trophy at Arsenal the criticism that once surrounded his name began to resurface. It could be argued on June 17th, 2020, Luiz had his worst game in his Premier League career as he made an error leading to a goal, conceded a penalty and was sent off against Manchester City. Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville was they quoted as saying, “He never learns he so rash”, following Luiz’s performance. This caused many to speak negatively over David Luiz as a player for the rest of his time in England which began to overshadow his brilliance in previous years. In 2021, Luiz returned to his home country Brazil to play for Flamengo who he is still currently playing for.
David Luiz’s career was filled with highs and lows, but his remarkable talents should not be eclipsed by his dark moments. The qualities and traits that many believe the modern-day centre-back should possess David Luiz was often slated for. So, Luiz could be seen as revolutionary in the evolution of the centre-back position. Luiz is among the most gifted centre-backs of the 2010s, with his distribution abilities, physical strength, and phenomenal and unique free-kick technique. Furthermore, his dynamic presence and his charisma on and off the football pitch is why David Luiz is one that we shall never forget.
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