Chelsea: David Luiz has already identified his next destination

Chelsea are yet to offer a new contract to David Luiz, whose deal is in its final half-year. The player has already started evaluating his options…

Chelsea centre back David Luiz is out of contract at the Stamford Bridge this summer and no approach has been made by the Blues to extend the Brazil international’s stay at the club. It comes as no surprise because of Chelsea’s infamous policy of not offering lengthy contract extensions to players aged over 30 years.

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David Luiz has been an integral player for Maurizio Sarri’s Chelsea and is crucial in the centre of the back line, next to Antonio Rudiger. However, with no clear message from Chelsea about his future, it looks like the Brazilian could be on the move and he has already started to evaluate the potential clubs which he could join.

Mirror UK reports that Luiz is keen on returning to Portugal to join Iberian giants Benfica, his former club. The Eagles were the first European club that Luiz checked into before joining Chelsea. He then went to Paris Saint-Germain, but was back in the Premier League with the west Londoners back in 2016.

It has been speculated that Brazilian outfit Palmeiras is monitoring David Luiz’s situation as well, with Luiz Felipe Scolari even urging the club to enter into negotiations with the defender. However, even at 31, David Luiz is of the opinion that he has a lot to contribute to football and can continue playing at a higher level in Europe itself.

Contract extensions at Chelsea are in hands of the administrative department and managers rarely have a say in these things, especially when it has to do with someone who is entering the twilight of his career. Had Maurizio Sarri been able to take a call on this, he would have surely extended Luiz’s contract as he prefers him over Cahill as well as Christensen.

Chelsea already risk facing an exodus of players with Cesc Fabregas already having departed. The Blues face uncertainties in terms of the futures of key players like Eden Hazard and Willian, whereas Callum Hudson-Odoi has been linked with a transfer to Bayern Munich as well and Alvaro Morata continues to eye a return to Spain.

Should Chelsea offer David Luiz a contract extension of at least one more year?