Chelsea defender David Luiz believes he is a much improved player since his return to the Premier League.
The Brazilian was criticized by many during his first run with the club, due to his positioning and ability to, well, defend.
It was acknowledged by many that Luiz actually performed far better in a defensive midfield position, but for unknown reasons, he was rarely given the chance to play there.
This turned out to work in his favour however, as Luiz was shipped off to PSG, where he experienced life in a very different league, before returning to Chelsea to work under Antonio Conte.
And what a return it has been.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Luiz pointed out that he does indeed feel that he has improved, and explains that working with various different coaches has helped his career.
“I read more of the game now, I can understand more of the game, it is a different pressure now with the big games. Many, many things. I think if you want to improve, you need to think you are a better player than you were.
I’ve worked with six, seven, eight coaches, they have improved my game, different leagues and different countries.”
Asked if the Premier League had changed since he’d been away, Luiz added: “I think the intensity is the same, I think the level is the same, because it is always six, or seven teams fighting for the title. I don’t see a lot of difference.
“It continues with the high credibility, it is one of the best leagues in the world, if not the best, and it is difficult to win.”
“I started in this system when I was young, a long time ago, and now I come back to play in the back three. In this system you work a lot in a tactical way, Conte gives me a lot of good advice in ways to read the game,” he said.
“In my position I need to be the cover for everybody, the cover for the midfielders and the defence and the wingers. It’s a tactical place, and I love to work with Conte, he loves to work on the details. He’s helped me a lot and he’s great to work with.”
“I think you have to enjoy it. We have to know our life is great, and it is a pleasure to wake up every day, you never know if you wake up tomorrow, so we need to enjoy it in the best way,” he added.
“Of course with the compromise, with the focus, everything, and the responsibility to understand your job, but of course with the pleasure of enjoying the job too.
“It’s nice to have the pressure, this means we are fighting for something big.”
