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Chelsea defeats to Liverpool & Arsenal were blessing in disguise for this star - pundit
DAVID LUIZ benefited from Chelsea's early seasons failures against Arsenal and Liverpool.
David Luiz rugby tackles Chelsea TV presenter
That is the view of player-turned-pundit Danny Higginbotham.
The Blues re-signed the centre-half from Paris Saint-Germain for £30million at the end of last summer.
But his return did not start off smoothly as Chelsea were beaten 2-1 at Stamford Bridge by Liverpool and 3-0 by Arsenal at the Emirates in Luiz's first two Premier League games back at the club.
Antonio Conte subsequently reverted to a 3-4-3 system which his team have flourished in, with Luiz the central figure in defence.
David Luiz has been a regular for Chelsea under Antonio Conte
My first thought when Luiz rejoined Chelsea was: Antonio Conte is going to play a back three
Cesar Azpilicueta and Gary Cahill have been regulars either side of the Brazil international, which has seen Chelsea rise to top of the table.
Having struggled with a back four against title rivals Liverpool and Arsenal, former defender Higginbotham highlights where Chelsea and Luiz's season truly began.
"My first thought when Luiz rejoined Chelsea was: Antonio Conte is going to play a back three," Higginbotham wrote in his column for The Sun.
"That is what he did with Juventus and Italy and the defeats to Liverpool and Arsenal were a blessing in disguise because they allowed him to make the change sooner.
David Luiz exacted his revenge for Chelsea in their reverse game at Liverpool by scoring a free-kick
David Luiz showed again in Chelsea's win at West Ham on Monday he is much sturdier now
"The system suits Luiz — and Chelsea — very well. Conte has obviously done a lot of work on the team’s set up.
"At West Ham, no player was ever isolated. They attack and defend together as a unit.
"In a back three, playing like a sweeper, Luiz has less responsibility AND more insurance because he has two other defenders around him."
Chelsea now sit 10 points clear of second-placed Tottenham, with Liverpool and Arsenal in fourth and fifth respectively.
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