Chelsea defender David Luiz is a shock contender to replace John Terry as Blues captain ahead of Gary Cahill
Fuzzy-haired Brazilian has shaken off his image as an accident waiting to happen to become major force in the dressing room
DAVID LUIZ has emerged as a shock contender to be the new Chelsea captain — instead of Gary Cahill.
The departure of ‘Captain, Leader, Legend’ John Terry means boss Antonio Conte needs a new leader for his Premier League champions.
And Brazilian defender Luiz, 30, is a serious candidate to wear the armband and usher in a whole new era at the club.
His fellow defender Cahill stood in as captain for much of the past two seasons, as JT’s influence on the first team faded with age, and was seen as the natural successor.
The Lancashire-born centre-half has also been skipper of England and hopes to pick up from where 36-year-old Terry left off as his full-time replacement, having committed his long-term future to Chelsea with a 4½-year deal.
But he has an unlikely rival in fuzzy-haired Luiz, who has shaken off his image as an accident waiting to happen on the pitch to become a major force in the dressing room.
Conte brought Luiz back to Stamford Bridge just over a year ago in a £32million deal on transfer deadline day.
The demanding Italian has grown to love his leadership qualities and, more importantly, his vocal instincts among the players during big matches.
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Conte is also impressed with Luiz’s bravery after he soldiered on for the rest of the season with a knee injury having taken a hefty whack from Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero in December.
Spanish workhorse Cesar Azpilicueta has also been tipped as a potential new captain because of his no-nonsense approach to football and his incredible attitude to training.
Azpilicueta played every minute of every Premier League and FA Cup match last season and played a key role in helping to transform Chelsea from their embarrassing mid-table finish in 2016 to champions last season.
But Luiz is now believed to have the edge on both men as Conte plans to shake up his defence for the coming season which kicks off at home to Burnley on August 12.
Chelsea are close to signing Roma’s £34m German defender Antonio Rudiger as well as bringing back on-loan defender Andreas Christensen from German side Borussia Monchengladbach.
Conte is keen to beef up the back four after Terry left on a free transfer to join Championship side Aston Villa.