Chelsea boss rules out sale of Brazilian defender.
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Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has issued a firm hands-off warning to Barcelona over their pursuit of Brazilian defender David Luiz, according to the Daily Star.
The Catalan giants have been keen to add a defender to their squad this summer, having been vulnerable defensively on many occasions in the big games last season. Luiz has long been their top target, and they recently had a bid of around £40million rejected by the Blues for the 26-year-old.
Barcelona have also been eyeing up Tottenham’s Jan Vertonghen and Liverpool’s Daniel Agger as alternative options, but are believed to be preparing an improved bid for Luiz first, though Mourinho has told them they may as well not bother.
It was rumoured earlier in the summer that Mourinho would be willing to listen to offers for Luiz, as he his slightly eccentric attacking instincts from the back did not fit in with his strict defensive methods, though this now appears not to be the case.
Mourinho has admitted that Luiz could improve defensively, but he believes he can help him do this at Chelsea, and has insisted he will not sell the former Benfica man.
“If [Barcelona] need a central defender my advice is that they have to go to the second name they have in the list because they are wasting their time,” the Blues boss said.
“No chance.
“David has come back with us fantastically and we have to use his quality, he has big self-confidence and self-esteem, especially when he comes up from the back with the ball.
“Can he improve defensively? Of course, but it is my job to try always to improve players.”