Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has revealed that he will use David Luiz as a centre-half.
David Luiz completed a shock return to Chelsea from Paris Saint-Germain on deadline day, two years after leaving Stamford Bridge for the French capital, and Antonio Conte has hinted at his role whilst speaking to Chelsea TV.
The 29-year-old has been training at Cobham this week as he settles down in London once again, with the meeting with Swansea City in the Premier League on Sunday on his mind.
As the Brazilian arrived, fans began to question where he will fit in. During his first stint, Luiz was occasionally played deep either in a defensive midfield role or at the heart of the back-line.
Though the Luiz was often a liability, prone to numerous mistakes in those positions, Antonio Conte has revealed where he plans to play him this campaign.
“I think David Luiz is a centre-back, he’s played a lot of games in that position,” the Italian told Chelsea TV.
“I know sometimes he’s played as a central midfielder but in my mind the idea is to utilise him in the right position which, for me, is centre-back. He’s played with Chelsea previously and he will bring a good personality.”
In revealing his plans for Luiz, Conte has perhaps hinted at utilising his preferred 3-5-2 formation.
The former Italy boss has used a three-man defence successfully with both Juventus and the national side, and now has five first-team players capable of playing centre-back.
Luiz will be favourite to join captain John Terry and Gary Cahill in the back-line, with Kurt Zouma still to return from a long-term knee injury.
However, Branislav Ivanovic will give Conte another option as the Serbian star could shift infield following the arrival of left-back Marcos Alonso, who would allow Cesar Azpilicueta to revert to his original right-back role.
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