David
Luiz says Chelsea's understanding of Antonio Conte's philosophy has
propelled them to the top of the Premier League this season.
Luiz returned to Chelsea in the summer and has gone on to feature heavily
for Conte in the centre of a back three.
Since reverting to a 3-5-2 formation, Chelsea have gone on to win 10 league
games in a row and will now aim to beat Arsenal's record of 14 set in 2002.
And with Chelsea sitting six points clear at the top ahead of their
lunch-time kick-off against Crystal Palace, live on Sky Sports 1 HD, Luiz
admits there's still a lot of hard work to do.
"I always love football but of course it's good when you win and the team is
doing well," Luiz told Sky Sports.
"We understand the philosophy, the system. Everyone is giving 100 per cent
for the team. The collective comes before the individual.
"Winning the Premier League is never easy, whether you're at home or away,
the games are always tough. It's good but it's too early to speak about the
title or being favourites. We need to keep working hard every day.
"I think when you understand the plan and the philosophy of the coach, it's
much easier. It's like when you're at school and you love to do something,
you're in the advanced class. That's the key.
"We love football, we understand the philosophy, we have a connection with
the manager and this connection gives us confidence. He's a top manager."
Luiz was a deadline day signing for Chelsea, moving from PSG in a £30million
move which even surprised Conte at first.
But the affable defender has worked his way into Chelsea's plans and he has
drawn high praise from pundits and fans alike with assured performances at
the back.
"I have in my personality (leadership qualities); I like to organise, I try
to be a leader in the dressing room too. I try to help my team-mates and the
club - that's why I came back," Luiz added.
"I love the club, because I had the opportunity, because I think it was my
purpose to come back.
"Decisions in football happen quickly. When Chelsea came to me and said they
wanted me to come back I was happy because I had a special moment here - one
of the best in my career. I won the Champions League, the Europa League.
"Paris was also amazing for me - I spent two years there and I was winning a
lot. But I decided to come back.
"I am a lucky play, I was living in Paris and now I'm back in London, so I
can't complain, my life is great.
The Brazilian also opened up about losing friends in the Colombia plane
crash, which saw many Chapecoense players and staff lose their lives.
"Of course it has affected me because I had friends there. We live this life
every day, and think of the flights I have taken to play football," Luiz
said.
"We saw that happen with friends and people we know at the best moment for
this club. It was the best moment for players and journalists inside the
plane.
"I'm still sad with this, because it's difficult. It's difficult to accept
and it was tragic for everybody - the word is sad.
"It will be good to be with my family at Christmas but of course this will
be inside our hearts and we need to pray for them."
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