- David Luiz fell out with Antonio Conte after Chelsea’s 3-0 defeat by Roma
- He was dropped for Man United and left on bench vs West Brom and Liverpool
- The Brazilian has already been ruled out of Chelsea’s game with Swansea
- Conte says he requires further treatment to an ongoing knee problem
Real Madrid are weighing up a January move for Chelsea defender David Luiz.
The Brazil international has dropped down the pecking order under Antonio Conte after falling out with the Italian following Chelsea’s 3-0 Champions League defeat by Roma in October.
The 30-year-old was subsequently made to train alone and was dropped for the game against Manchester United and left on the bench against West Bromwich Albion and Liverpool.
Spanish and European giants Real Madrid are considering a move for Chelsea’s David Luiz
Luiz has already been ruled out of Chelsea’s game with Swansea City on Wednesday as Conte says he requires further treatment to an ongoing knee problem.
‘I must be honest at the moment it is difficult for me to answer [how long he will be sidelined],’ said the Chelsea manager. ‘It will be up to the doctor to assess it and take the best decision.’
Luiz returned to Chelsea from Paris Saint-Germain in a £34million transfer 15 months ago and was named in the PFA Team of the Year last season as they went on to win the Premier League title.
However, the fall from grace under Conte has left him to question his future, knowing he needs to play regularly to retain his place in Brazil’s World Cup squad for the summer.
He knows he must be playing regularly if he wants to retain his spot in Brazil’s World Cup squad
Luiz has been considered by Barcelona and AC Milan in recent months but the prospect of a move to European champions Real Madrid would be extremely tempting.
Though Luiz would be cup-tied for the Champions League, Madrid recognise that Luiz can operate as a centre-back or as a defensive midfielder and provide cover at full-back. While he had a reputation for being too cavalier in his first spell at Stamford Bridge, he has notably improved and benefited tactically under Conte.
Madrid have failed to reach their normal standards this season and are eight points behind Barcelona in La Liga. Coach Zinedine Zidane is under increasing pressure to improve results and close the gap.
For their part, Chelsea have also been scouting for new central defenders with Lyon’s Moucare Diakhaby one option they have looked at.
Zinedine Zidane is under pressure at Real to improve results and close the gap with Barcelona
