Chelsea have officially confirmed that David Luiz has penned a new contract to keep him at the club until 2021, but the decision has sparked a mixed response.
The Brazilian ace has enjoyed two spells at Stamford Bridge, returning from Paris Saint-Germain in 2016, while making himself an ever-present under Maurizio Sarri again this season.
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Luiz has made 48 appearances under the Italian tactician, and as confirmed by the club, they have agreed on new terms to extend his stay at Chelsea until 2021.
There wasn’t a wholly positive response to the announcement though, as seen in the tweets below, with many fans questioning the decision to offer the veteran a longer stay.
Not only due to the impact it will have on others getting minutes next season, but also because of the question marks over the 32-year-old’s defending as he has been guilty of being vulnerable at times again this year.
However, others supported the decision, especially in light of Chelsea’s transfer ban, which could prevent them from making any new signings in the next two windows.
With that in mind, it will surely be crucial for Sarri to keep the current squad together to have enough quality and depth to compete on multiple fronts next season, and perhaps with others returning from loan spells elsewhere, Luiz could yet be considered depth moving forward.
In turn, it seems like a sensible decision from Chelsea in context, but time will tell if their faith in Luiz is rewarded with key performances on the pitch, as well as being a positive influence in the dressing room too given his experience and winning pedigree.
Nevertheless, having had an apparent rule in place for players over 30 and not offering them long-term deals, it’s a surprise to some that it’s Luiz who has seemingly broken the mould at the club.
This geezer has signed a new contract! ?
Congratulations, @DavidLuiz_4! ?
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 10, 2019
HUGE mistake. He is good for the dressing room but not good enough to be one of our starting CB’s. Our board is living on nostalgia and this decision is more steps back instead of steps forwards.
— Pys (@CFCPys) May 10, 2019
Big mistake. Gonna block Zouma coming in to the team who’s much better.
— . (@SarriballEra) May 10, 2019
Didnt do it for Lampard, Terry or Drogba but we’ll do it for David Luiz????
— BakayokoWillBeBack (@TBakayoko_14) May 10, 2019
Why 2 years contract? Why not 6months to observe him?
— Kelechi Eze (@Kelechi59196979) May 10, 2019
Should have been a Year’s contract.
Also Bring back #Zouma— Kamran Musstafa (@kami3012) May 10, 2019
That is great news for the rest of the PL
— Dave Clayton (@BenBulben40) May 10, 2019
30+ policy broken for David Luiz mannnnnnnn…..
— Umair (@imumair10) May 10, 2019
— Jamie (@CFCJamie) May 10, 2019
What is he leading? All he doz is slow d game too relaxed at risky situations
— Heritage. (@heritageherite) May 10, 2019
Was this strategic or sentimental???
— Rudranil (@RudranilDasgup2) May 11, 2019
This is the worst decision made by the club. He is so error prone and makes costly mistakes all the time. Our defence has cost is so many points this season and this is due to David luiz’s fault
— Morrismo (@Morrismo6) May 11, 2019
Best decision the club has made in a long time.
— Cian Doherty (@cianjdoherty) May 10, 2019
Happy Geezer will be with us till 2021 @DavidLuiz_4
— R?????_JR (@vj_Raheem) May 10, 2019
YESSSS DAVID pic.twitter.com/OElH8k8cVv
— Simon (@EvilSimonnn) May 10, 2019
Immense against Frankfurt the other night as he always is. Second spell has been even better than first. Great player.
— Karm Ragloow (@KRagloow) May 11, 2019
Other Chelsea fans may disagree but I love David Luiz. Brings so much beyond the pitch that make the whole team better than than the sum of it’s parts.
— WBKwrestling&soccer (@WBKWrestSoccer) May 11, 2019
Great news. He might not be in our first choice starting lineup next year but great player to start some prem and cup games. Awesome character to have around the dressing room aswell. True blue.
— Blues forever (@bigdaddywinston) May 11, 2019
