What is happening with Chelsea's out-of-favour defender David Luiz?

David Luiz in action for Chelsea - What is happening with Chelsea's out-of-favour defender David Luiz?
Luiz appears to be on thin ice at Chelsea Credit: Ashley Western/CameraSport via Getty Images

Antonio Conte insisted there had been no fall-out with David Luiz prior to him dropping the central defender for one of Chelsea’s biggest games of the season.

But the strongest hint that Conte’s explanation that it was a “tactical decision” may not have been the full story came when Luiz took his place in the stands.

Luiz sat behind the Chelsea substitutes next to his Brazilian compatriot Kenedy, who was also left out in the cold.

Kenedy had been on the substitutes’ bench for Chelsea’s Champions League defeat at Roma, but earned a stern lecture from Conte for yawning his way through the Italian’s stormy inquest.

During that dressing down, Conte warned his squad that whoever could not follow his orders would simply not play for him.

Whatever Conte claimed publically, it looked distinctly like Luiz and Kenedy had been put on the Stamford Bridge naughty step together as the cameras panned on to them during the opening minutes on Sunday.

There also appeared to be a message within Conte’s explanation over why Luiz was not even on the substitutes’ bench.

Asked if there had been a row, he replied: “No, no. Tactical decision. There is [Andreas] Christensen in really good form and also we have [Ethan] Ampadu who is a good young player. The club like to play with the young player.”

Antonio Conte communicates instructions to David Luiz
Tensions have emerged between Luiz and Antonio Conte Credit: Ashley Western/Getty Images

The mention of “the club” was perhaps significant and possibly pre-empted any suggestion that Conte would have upset owner owner Roman Abramovich by ditching Luiz.

Abramovich had been a driving force behind the surprise decision to re-sign Luiz last summer and is known to be a fan of the charismatic 30-year-old.

Luiz was superb in the title-winning campaign, but his form has not been so impressive so far this term and there have been signs of strain between him and Conte.

Conte was unhappy with Luiz’s reaction to being substituted in the 3-3 home draw with Roma and gave him a training ground ticking off a few days later.

The former Juventus manager was equally as unimpressed with the defending of Luiz in Rome, when he, Antonio Rudiger and Cesar Azpilicueta were pulled apart by Edin Dzeko.

That was the final straw and Andreas Christensen was deservedly rewarded for some promising displays in big games against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City with a start for the visit of United.

Andreas Christensen in action for Chelsea - What is happening with Chelsea's out-of-favour defender David Luiz?
Christensen has usurped David Luiz in defence, at least for the moment Credit: Shaun Brooks/Getty Images

It will have not gone unnoticed by Luiz that Conte raised both arms above his head to applaud Christensen eight minutes before half-time after the Dane had held off pressure from Marcus Rashford to turn with the ball in his own area and clear the danger.

Christensen was clapped by his head coach again in the second half and the 21-year-old was one of Chelsea’s best performers as they kept only their second clean sheet in nine games.

If Luiz did feel humiliated by losing his place and seeing 17-year-old Ampadu put on the bench ahead of him, the former Paris Saint-Germain man hid it well as he cuddled and kissed staff in and around the tunnel area.

But whether or not Conte and Luiz can kiss and make up remains to be seen.

Moment of the match

Other than Alvaro Morata’s goal, there were two moments that had Antonio Conte with his arms above his head. First, he applauded Andreas Christensen for turning in his own area while under pressure from Marcus Rashford and then he clapped enthusiastically when the defender cut out an intended through ball for the United forward. Christensen certainly repaid Conte’s big decision to prefer him over David Luiz.

Most influential player: N’Golo Kante

The midfielder should walk into Conte’s office and demand a lucrative new contract on Monday morning because Chelsea are a completely different team when Kante is playing.

Crowd rating: 8/10

Jose Mourinho received a mixed reception from the Chelsea fans on his return, but both sets of supporters produced plenty of noise.

Referee rating: 7/10

Anthony Taylor gave Conte a ticking off for his complains over Antonio Valencia’s first-half foul on Eden Hazard.

Match rating: 7/10

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