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David Luiz made a stunning comeback to English giants Chelsea, after completing his move from French capital-side Paris Saint-Germain last season. Luiz's return to Stamford Bridge would go on to be one of the most successful transfers of the year, as the Brazilian pulled out brilliant performances to help the Londoners clinch the Premier League title.
However, after being regarded by many as the league's best centre-back last season, he is no longer on the same level he once was. In fact, Chelsea boss has announced shortly after the disastrous defensive performance against AS Roma in UEFA Champions League action, that David Luiz had to work really hard in order to regain his spot back as the 30-year old was completely dropped out of the squad for the match against Manchester United.
The situation has not improved for the Brazil international in the last few weeks, as he remains a bench player at best. Here are 5 destinations who think, could help David Luiz revive his career:
#5 AS Monaco
David Luiz has played for Paris Saint-Germain for two seasons, where he was crowned twice as Champion of France. The 30-year old is vastly experienced and is already familiar with French football.
Meanwhile, AS Monaco's defensive woes continue to grow game after game. In the Champions League alone, the team conceded 16 goals in merely 6 games, with an average of 2.67 goals per match, which is why they failed to impress in the group stage.
In the Ligue 1 the situation has been a bit more reassuring, but one thing is for sure, the mistakes of Kamil Glik and Jemerson are more frequent than they used to be, especially in big games. David Luiz would in theory, immediately impose himself as Monaco's best defender. Following the departure of quite a few key players in the summer, Monaco's build-up play is henceforth less effective. Besides his defensive skills, the Brazilian could improve their passing abilities from the back.
While it's true that a move away from Chelsea to AS Monaco would be considered a step back in David Luiz's career, but it is still much better than being a bench-warmer who has clearly lost the confidence of his manager.
#4 Liverpool
The defensive struggles of Liverpool continue to appear game after game, in a very worrying way. The centre-backs at the club clearly no longer have the faith of the fans, namely Dejan Lovren. It is hard to understand how the Croatia international is still a starter at the club, despite his numerous never-ending blunders.
Luiz, for all his flaws, is still a more solid defender and has had some top class performances throughout his career, such as in the UEFA Champions League and Confederations Cup finals. He remains highly experienced and capable of adding a bit of stability at Anfield.
In addition to the defensive problems, Liverpool's build-up play is extremely slow. The ball-playing abilities of their centre-backs are absolutely limited, and so is that of their captain, Jordan Henderson. Henderson lacks the audacity as well as the technical ability to play useful balls forward.
Luiz's technical ability is top class, as even his biggest hater would admit. He could fit in extremely well in a holding-midfield role at Liverpool. All in all, the Brazilian would certainly be an important utility player for Jurgen Klopp to rely on.
#3 Paris Saint-Germain
As weird as it may sound, a return to Paris Saint-Germain would be excellent for both David Luiz and the club. During his spell in between 2014 and 2016, the Brazilian helped PSG win the league title twice, the French cup twice as well as pulled out some excellent performances in the Champions League, such as against Chelsea when he scored a decisive goal to eliminate them at Stamford Bridge, back in 2015.
Luiz's worst moment at the club was undoubtedly the home leg against FC Barcelona back in 2015, when Luis Suarez humiliated him in two separate moments, which led to a heavy PSG defeat over the two legs. However, he reportedly played the game while carrying an injury, as the club was short on options at centre-back.
Two years later, PSG's situation has not even slightly improved, it has rather gone worse, if anything. The only three reliable centre-back options at the club are currently the captain Thiago Silva, and youngsters Marquinhos and Presnel Kimpembe.
One of the essential reasons why Luiz left the club back to Chelsea in 2016, was playing time, after Marquinhos had impressed more than him in the last couple of games, and asked to become a starter ahead of agreeing a contract extension at the club. But this decision did not turn out to be wise by PSG, as they find themselves in a very delicate situation, with Thiago Silva being injury-prone.
Luiz would bring back experience in the big games, which would reassure the club that they could rely on 4 options in central defence, rather than merely just three.
#2 Juventus
Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri is known to be a fan of using a back-line composed of three centre-backs, and this is exactly the system that suits David Luiz the most.
The Italian tactician had relied on Leonardo Bonucci to be the leader of his back four or back five, and for more than one reason. The 30-year old is defensively speaking, one of the very best in Europe's top five leagues. But what his value for Juventus was more than just that, as the team's build-up play was extremely dependent on his ball-playing skills.
Bonucci effectively operated as deep-lying play-maker, whenever Juve were in control of the ball. With his absence, not only was the defence affected but the passing football, just as much.
Luiz may not be on the same level of Bonucci, but one thing is certain, he has already done well in a system of three centre-backs, that would allow him enough freedom to contribute to the attack. In theory, Luiz would be one of the most qualified defenders to fill the Bonucci shaped hole.
In the Italian league, the tempo is relatively slower than in England, so Luiz would have even more time on the ball than he is used to, which would help him express his passing skills in the best possible way.
#1 Manchester City
Before his transfer from Chelsea to Paris Saint-Germain back in 2014, strong rumours emerged from German press that Pep Guardiola was keen on signing David Luiz.
In fact, it is no secret that Guardiola is a big fan of ball-playing centre-backs. In this characteristic, Luiz is certainly among the best in the world. One could ask why Manchester City, who are dominating the Premier League this season, would need Luiz. The Spanish tactician has already indicated that he intends to sign more than one player in the January transfer market, if possible.
For all their success so far, City could do with another centre-back. Luiz would still be better than the likes of Eliaquim Mangala, and arguably on par with Nicolas Otamendi. Club captain Vincent Kompany is almost always injured, so cannot be considered a reliable option for the foreseeable future. John Stones, currently injured, used to be heavily criticised for his defensive blunders, but has notably improved in regard to this aspect, under the tutelage of Pep Guardiola.
One would wonder how comfortable Luiz would be, playing in a team that averages 70% possession per game, where the centre-backs are less exposed than they would be elsewhere.
Mind you, Guardiola was initially keen on implementing a back-line of three prior to the long-term injury of Benjamin Mendy that forced him to change his plans. If he decides to return to that system when Mendy returns from his lay-off, then Stones, Luiz and Otamendi would probably be his best defensive trio.
Three top ball-playing centre-backs in the same team, has this ever happened before in the history of the Premier League?
