David Luiz still hoping for Brazil national team recall

David Luiz’s last appearance for the Brazilian national team was in June 2017 in a friendly against Australia. Back then, he was riding high on the hype of his comeback season at Chelsea, where he turned into one of the world’s best centre backs while playing the centre-most role in Antonio Conte’s three-man backline and helped the Blues get their second Premier League title in three years.

Unfortunately his form, and the club’s as a whole, dipped precipitously the following season. So did his fitness, with various injuries taking him out of contention for most of the 2017-18 season. Were it not for that struggle, he might have been be able to represent Brazil atthe 2018 World Cup in a true redemption arc, after taking a lot of (undeserved) blame for the country’s failure in the previous edition of the tournament in his home country.

But now, he is back on track. Playing regularly for the club in the more traditional defensive setting of a four-man backline and doing quite well for himself, David hopes his performances at club level can propel him back into Tite’s plans.

“I work at my club to go back to the national team, if it is ‘Professor’ Tite’s will. I will always be at their disposal because I love my country.

“Tite is doing an excellent job. In Brazil we are not used to giving time to managers. Thankfully they have been able to do so with Tite after the World Cup.

“I am sure that he is doing [everything] in the best way possible, because he's amassed positive results for a long period of time. I hope Brazil keeps on growing and reaches the next World Cup in good form.”

Back in good health, David is more than happy to be back to doing what he loves the most in the world: playing football week in and out.

“I love playing football. It is great to be on the pitch doing my job, especially when it is in the positive way that we are doing.”

“It was hard to stay out of contention because of injuries last year. But what matters is that I am back and happy to do what I love.”

And to top it off, the new coach in town brings more than just a positive style of football to the Chelsea table. Sarri also carries a very optimistic outlook towards life in general, which really fits with David as a whole.

“Sarri is a great coach who is trying every day to implement his work philosophy. He is a guy who likes to play the ball on the ground, with loads of possession and movement to make a happy and beautiful brand of football.”

“We are looking to enjoy [the style], with a lot of awareness at the same time that we are looking for our objectives. He wants us to be happy, because that is what is most important in life. No matter what job you do.”

-David Luiz; source: UOL Esporte

So say we all.