David Luiz has spent much of the season injured or in Antonio Conte’s doghouse, or injured and in Antonio Conte’s doghouse. Limited to just 17 appearances in all competitions, the 31-year-old last played in early February, and has been sidelined by knee and ankle injuries ever since.
In the meantime, he opened a restaurant (alongside Willian), cheered on from the stands, and struck up a happy friendship with Olivier Giroud. But now, having frolicked with giraffes, swam with dolphins, and played with white tigers in Dubai, he’s back to the thing he missed most, working with the ball on the (training) pitch.
But the season’s over, David! Did nobody tell you?
In all seriousness, it’s great to see David Luiz ambulatory in a pair of football boots once again. His future may be unclear — that’s a common ailment around Chelsea these days — but his contributions to the club over the past seven years (with a two-year gap in the middle) should not be overlooked. He has one more year left on his current contract, and could conceivably stay for next season as a veteran backup option while the rest of the squad undergoes a refresh and renewal.
Watch below