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- Dubai 04:25 05:43 12:19 15:46 18:50 20:09
Chelsea's David Luiz (left) challenges Tottenham Hotspur's Gareth Bale during their FA Cup semi-final match at Wembley Stadium in London. (REUTERS)
Chelsea fight for more than just their immediate future when they play defending Champions Barcelona in the Champions League Wednesday night.
Their long-term future is in question and that is where defender David Luiz comes in to the picture.
More attacking defender than defensive wall, Luiz is out of the Champions League semi-final against Barcelona tomorrow night and his future at Chelsea also hangs in the balance.
Click to read Chelsea old guard ready for Barca
Very much a part of fallen manager Ander Villas-Boas’ plans at Chelsea, Luiz is not a sure-fire member of current manager Roberto Di Matteo’s squad, or possibly any future manager Chelsea owner Roman Ambramovich may bring in.
The Brazilian is also set miss this Saturday’s vital Premier League clash at Arsenal and the return leg against Barca at the Nou Camp.
Gary Cahill is increasingly being seen as the long-term defensive partner to Blues skipper John Terry.
There will be no shortage of takers for David Luiz if Chelsea do decide to sell, with Spanish and Italian clubs said to be more than interested in the Brazilian star.
Luiz falling out of favour with the Blues interim manager may also be a result of an interview he gave Brazilian TV last month.
The Sun in an exclusive revealed that the Brazilian centre back had said Andre Villas-Boas should have been given more time at Chelsea.
The Brazilian defender was close to AVB and enjoyed working for the former Porto boss.
Click to read Iniesta wary of Chelsea
Luiz faces a fight for a permanent place in the squad from the Chelsea old guard that has found its feet again and orchestrated an amazing fghtback against Napoli to progress in the Champions League.
Luiz, 24, said: "I'm really sad, as Andre was a really capable professional. Unfortunately, he didn't have the time to show his true value at Chelsea.
"He didn't have the chance. You cannot doubt a professional like him, who won five titles last season and was feted by everyone. But he didn't have enough time at Chelsea."
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