Chelsea

Chelsea's Jose Mourinho: 'David Luiz has incredible potential'

By Liam Power, Reporter | 20 July 2013

Mourinho: 'Luiz has incredible potential'

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho describes David Luiz as a player with "incredible potential", but only as a central defender under his regime.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has revealed that he plans to make David Luiz an integral part of his team next season, but only as a central defender.

Previous boss Rafael Benitez experimented with the Brazilian in a holding midfield role last season, with Branislav Ivanovic often moving inside to cover at central defence.

Mourinho told The Telegraph: "For me, Luiz is a central defender. I think he has an important quality for the football we want to play, which is to build. He's comfortable using the ball from the back.

"In this aspect, he's very important and different from the other central defenders. He can improve, everybody can.

"From a defensive point of view, he can be much more effective, much more solid. But, for me, the potential is incredible, amazing. He has to play always."

The 26-year-old has been linked with Barcelona for much of the summer, but remains adamant that he is focused only on spending this season in West London.