Bargain buy from Brazil

Tuesday, 22/03/2011

The January transfer window talk was all about the £50m paid for Fernando Torres and £35m for Andy Carroll – both yet to prove those fees was money well spent.

Yet the £23m Chelsea forked out for defender David Luiz looks a bargain in comparison.

The 23-year-old was bought from Portugal's Benfica to give the Blues more in defence, more youth and as a possible replacement for John Terry over the next few years.

Overseas players often take time to settle in the Premier League – but it appears no one told Luiz that he shoudn’t be starring just yet!

The corkscrew haired one looks to be a brilliant buy, settling in immediately, winning over fans at Stamford Bridge, scoring a few goals and currently looking like he could soon be on the team sheet before JT.

Luiz is strong in the tackle, reads the game like a veteran and has that air of assurance about him that you get with good defenders like JT, Rio Ferdinand and Jonathan Woodgate.

He was Man of the Match in the weekend’s victory over Man City, overshadowing the array of expensive talent on view in both teams.

Meanwhile, Carroll and Torres haven’t scored a goal between them.

January can be a dangerous month to part with your cash and doesn’t guarantee a quick fix for your team.

But David Luiz could be one of those gems that does occasionally surface.

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