Risk has paid off for Luiz

Cobham – Chelsea defender David Luiz (above) admits he took a risk leaving Paris St Germain to come “home”, but as he prepares for today’s FA Cup final, having already won the Premier League, it’s a gamble which he believes has reaped dividends.

The Brazilian, 30, was a firm favourite in Paris, an established and respected part of a successful team which won back-to-back domestic trebles during his twoyear stay in the French capital.

That’s a contrast to his first spell at Chelsea when he was heavily criticised by television pundits for the poor quality of his defending – despite eventually being sold for a world record fee of £50 million for a defender.

So, it’s easy to question why he answered a call just ahead of the 2016/17 campaign to return to Stamford Bridge to a side managed by Antonio Conte who had been tasked with restoring morale after a turbulent season prior to that when they had gone from champions to finishing 10th.

His return, was hardly greeted with celebrations either – certainly not outside of Stamford Bridge – and instead described as a panic buy by the home media.

So Luiz can understand why many people wondered if he had made a mistake.

“I was winning in Paris. I went to Paris for two years and won all the titles in France and I had a great life,” he told journalists ahead of the final against London rivals Arsenal.

“So I had everything in Paris and then I took a risk to come back to one country that was not that happy with me.

“They always criticise me a lot even with the Champions League, Europa League, and playing all the games.

“So that’s why it was a risk. And I love the risk. If you never take risks in your life you never feel something new.

The contrast between the Chelsea of last season and the side going for a league and cup double is immense; and Luiz has been such an important part of the transformation, becoming a vital cog in Conte’s 3-4-3 formation.