David Luiz willing to play anywhere for Chelsea

Dec 15, 2012 12:30:00 AM

The Brazilian was deployed in an unfamiliar midfield role for his side's victory over Monterrey in the Club World Cup but insists he is happy to adapt for the team

David Luiz has revealed his willingness to play anywhere for Chelsea after being deployed in midfield for Thursday's win over Monterrey.

The 25-year-old started alongside John Obi Mikel in the middle as the Blues ran out 3-1 winners against the Mexican side to seal their place in the Club World Cup final.

And, despite playing the majority of his career at centre-back, Luiz underlined his happiness to adapt for the club.

“Since he [Benitez] arrived he’s been talking about playing me there if the opportunity arose,” he told Fifa.com.

“He spoke to me in the team-talk and we decided to do it for that game. I was happy with the result, about getting through to a big final, and with my performance as well.

“It was Rafa’s decision to make the change for this game. He wanted me to play in a more advanced position and I was delighted with my contribution to the team and with our overall performance too.

“I’ve been working in training every day on other aspects of my game so I can help out in different ways.

They’re things we’ve been practising, and the coach has a gift for seeing when a player can make a positive contribution in a certain position.

“Getting up there in attack is not my main job. All I want to do is help the team, no matter what my position is. I love playing for Chelsea. I love playing. And I hope we can take the title.”

The defender went on to insist there will be no conflict of interest when he faces fellow Brazilian side Corinthians in the tournament's final.

“It’s another final, and that’s always special for me, whoever we play," he added.

“Everyone tries to help. And when they’ve got some information to give they’ve got the freedom to come out and tell the team about it.

“We’ve been talking a lot this week about the importance that we attach to the [Club] World Cup in South America and especially in Brazil.

“I’ve always made it clear that it’s been a dream of mine to play in a [Club] World Cup and that I’d give anything to win it.”

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Champions League final - LIVE!

German giants Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund will battle it out at Wembley for European glory. Get involved by sending us your thoughts via Twitter or Facebook! Hosted by Mark Doyle.

6:40 PM BST

And now the Bayern line-up! The only small surprise here is that Jerome Boateng has been preferred to Daniel van Buyten alongside Dante at the heart of the defence. As expected, Mario Mandzukic has got the nod up front ahead of Mario Gomez.

Bayern Munich: Neuer; Lahm, Dante, Boateng, Alaba; Martinez, Schweinsteiger; Robben, Muller, Ribery; Mandzukic.

6:36 PM BST

Borussia Dortmund have announced their starting line-up for tonight's Champions League final!! And it's as we predicted, with Kevin Grosskreutz starting on the left-hand side and Marco Reus moving infield to fill the void left by the injured Mario Gotze.

Dortmund XI v Bayern: Weidenfeller; Piszczek, Subotic, Hummels, Schmelzer; Gundogan, Bender; Blaszczykowski, Reus, Grosskreutz; Lewandowski.

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Questions rolling in for our own Carlo Garganese over on Twitter, the most left-field of which comes 'I'm Moeg, Sien jy! ‏@MurGyver 34s', who writes:

"Is it true that players can't wear underwear in the final?"

Surely you have to log on now for no other reason than to find out the answer to that cracking enquiry?!

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Bayern have arrived at Wembley! The legendary Lothar Mattheus will obviously be cheering on die Roten this evening, but he is just hoping that Fussball is the winner tonight:

"The whole world will watch the game," the World Cup winner told Sky Sport Germany. "It electrifies the masses. Never before there was so much talk about a Champions League final than this time.

"Both groups of fans know the whole world is watching. We have to present ourselves similar to the way we did at WC 2006 because it brings a lot of sympathy. Today we have another chance to present Germany in a positive way."

Unfortunately, there were reports of some clashes between rival sets of fans earlier in the day, but, happily, the atmosphere at the ground is wonderfully good-natured.

6:18 PM BST

Former Dortmund goalkeeper Jens Lehmann was present at the Champions League festival earlier and he is tipping his former side for the title: "I think Bayern are a little stronger but if I was to have a bet, I would bet on Dortmund because that would win me more money!"

However, our tipster Hugh Wilson reckons that the value is a punt on both sides scoring in the first half ...

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