Swansea vs Chelsea: New signing David Luiz 'needs to improve in defensive situations', admits Antonio Conte
The Brazilian returned to the club for £32m on deadline day
Antonio Conte has admitted David Luiz needs to improve defensively if he is to become one of the world’s best defenders but says his arrival can allow Chelsea to play a new 3-4-3 formation.
Luiz returned to Stamford Bridge on transfer deadline day for £32m from Paris Saint-Germain – £16m less than what the Blues sold him to the Ligue 1 champions for in 2014.
Luiz was part of a flurry of deadline day business as Marcos Alonso also arrived for £23m from Fiorentina, but Conte warned it will take time for the pair to settle in and does not expect either to start this weekend.
The former Italy boss spoke in the week of how he considers Luiz a defender and not a holding midfielder but did concede the Brazilian will need to work on his defending and insists he can improve in that area, despite being 29 years old.
“I think that every player, until the end of their career, can improve. Every player,” said Conte.
“When you are 32, 33, 36 ... you can always improve. I tell you this from my experience as a footballer.
“But I think that a great defender must be able to play football. To defend, yeah, but I think that the coach must improve these players.
“I think that's the most important thing for me, not only to win, lose or draw, but to improve your players and to work. To work on weaknesses and make the players stronger, stronger.
“I think that David Luiz is 29, a fantastic age for him to become one of the best defenders in the world. I'm seeing great commitment from him. He wants to play for Chelsea.
“This is a great opportunity for him and for us, also to improve. I repeat: he has good characteristics to become a fantastic defender in the world.”
Conte did a fantastic job with a limited Italy squad at Euro 2016 where he employed the 3-5-2 formation, something that he also used while leading Juventus to the Serie A title.
However, the Italian has said he does not foresee playing that way with the Blues but believes Luiz’s arrival will give him the opportunity to play a more attacking 3-4-3 structure.
When asked about playing Luiz as part of a back three, Conte said: “It can be an opportunity, it can be a solution.
“It can happen in the future. I think this squad can play 3-4-3, not 3-5-2 like the national team in Italy and Juventus. I think, because of the characteristics of the players, you can play 3-4-3.”
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