Central defender has endured a difficult past few weeks.
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Chelsea defender David Luiz will be dropped by Blues head coach Jose Mourinho for Wednesday night’s crucial Uefa Champions League group-stage clash with Bundesliga giants Schalke 04 after the Brazilian’s team-mates heavily criticised his lacklustre display at the back during their shock weekend loss to Newcastle United, according to reports in the Daily Star.
Not only did the highly rated Brazil international seemingly pull out of a 50-50 tackle with Magpies front man Shola Ameobi, but he was also partly responsible for the home side’s second goal late on that sealed the west London’s club’s fate, and just their second league loss of the campaign.
And according to a source close to the self-styled ‘Special One’, Luiz’s team-mates made their feelings about his laid-back performance in the north east on Saturday afternoon perfectly clear to the centre back in the dressing room after the final whistle.
As a result, it is now expected that the Chelsea manager will axe the 26-year-old from his starting lineup when the Blues host Schalke in Europe’s premier club competition this week, with England international Gary Cahill due to take Luiz’s starting place at the heart of the west Londoners’ back four alongside club captain John Terry.