REBORN LUIZ EARNS NEW BLUES DEAL
HECTOR BELLERIN is urging football stars to use their fame to “scream” about issues they feel strongly about.
The Arsenal right-back, who is just as comfortable discussing social, environmental and health matters as life on the pitch, said: “As footballers we have a massive platform we should be using way more than we actually are.
“It is very easy to just sit at home and stay with your family, kids and friends, but with the platform we have we should be the people that scream about these issues and put them out there so as a society we can move forward.
“Sometimes footballers don’t understand the power they have and sometimes they do understand, but would rather sit at home without pushing these issues.”
Climate change, his veganism and plastic pollution are subjects especially close to Bellerin’s heart.
The Catalan, 23, said: “Growing up in the coastline of Barcelona and going back now and seeing all this rubbish in the sea when I was enjoying it so
much as a kid makes me sad CHELSEA are ready to reward David Luiz for his revival with a new deal.
Brazil defender Luiz fell out of favour under previous boss Antonio Conte and admitted he would have left if the Italian had remained in charge at Stamford Bridge.
But Luiz has become a key figure again under new boss Maurizio Sarri (below) and Chelsea want to tie the 31-year-old down with his current deal up next summer.
Luiz (above) has started every Premier League game for Chelsea this season and is in line for a new one-year deal, in keeping with the club’s policy for players over 30.
The centre-back could be among the players rested when Chelsea resume their Europa League campaign against MOL Vidi tomorrow night.
He was given a breather for the Blues’ Group L opener against PAOK, having gone from only a little action last year to plenty this time around.
Chelsea got off to a winning Europa League start in Greece, but have drawn their last two domestic league games, against West Ham and Liverpool (Luiz blocks Roberto Firmino shot, below).
Cesar Azpilicueta said: “We have lost two points in both our last two games, so obviously we want to get three points as much as we can.
“We need to improve, because every time we go onto the pitch we want to win.”