David Luiz had looked down and out in his Chelsea career under Antonio Conte, who left him out for four months at the end of last season, but Maurizio Sarri's arrival has revitalised him, and it is clear that this Italian coach wants the defender to stay at Stamford Bridge.
Discussions over a new contract are ongoing and there was a meeting to try to reach a resolution on the 32-year-old's future last week, as the club look to keep hold of the Brazilian while at the same time adhering to their policy of only offering thirty-something players annual rolling contracts.
Luiz could still opt to leave, of course, but he would do so as arguably Chelsea's most reliable centre-half. Indeed, he will likely end the season on 50 appearances in 63 Chelsea matches – more than any of his central defensive rivals at the club.
His importance to the cause is evident and has been ever since he rejoined Chelsea under 2016 following the appointment of Conte as coach.
The former Paris Saint-Germain defender played a pivotal part in unlikely title win in their new manager's first season in west London.
Not that we should have been surprised; Luiz, after all, had also been a part of Chelsea's most remarkable success, the 2012 Champions League triumph, during his first spell at Stamford Bridge.
Luiz would be the last of the class of 2012 to remain at the club should he renew his contract, with Gary Cahill having said an emotional goodbye to Stamford Bridge in the 3-0 win over Watford.
The importance of Luiz's link to the past should not be underestimated. This is a player who knows what it takes to win the very biggest titles.
Like Cahill, Luiz will deserve a hero's reception when he finally leaves Chelsea but, unlike his centre-back partner on that epic night in Munich seven years ago, now is not the time for him to depart.
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The Blues would be facing up to a concerning on-pitch leadership void should they lose Luiz, Cahill and Real Madrid target Eden Hazard this summer.
Luiz has been cited as an important and influential character in the dressing room by Sarri but it can also be seen in the way in which he conducts himself in and around the club, which has earned him the respect of both the fans and the club's directors.
Meals with fans, support for the Chelsea Women's team, helping out with the Chelsea Foundation and his interest in the club's academy – like many of his former team-mates from 2012, Luiz sets an example that others at Chelsea now need to follow.
Few among the current group understand Chelsea like Luiz and Cahill, who have done their utmost to carry on the values and fighting spirit previously instilled in the squad by the likes of John Terry, Petr Cech and Frank Lampard.
Furthermore, Luiz's form and fitness are difficult to question, as he goes from 17 appearances to 50 appearances in the space of a year.
Sarri has revolutionised Chelsea's style of play and Luiz has become a key figure for his manager at centre-back, with his still impressive range of passing.
The maverick defender is often criticised for his lack of physicality and his propensity for making mistakes but while Andreas Christensen is clearly a worthy long-term successor, Luiz remains the leader Chelsea need right now.
His future may be tied to Sarri's, though.
The former Napoli boss has not yet spoken to the directors or club owner Roman Abramovich about planning for next season, aside from organising the club's pre-season.
However, if Sarri stays, then Luiz should stay too.
“I don't know on David Luiz," Sarri said last week. "I know that he had a meeting four or five days ago, but then my mind was on our match. I didn't ask him the result of it."
The hope must be that common sense prevails.
In a difficult period of transition at Chelsea, blighted by uncertainty surrounding the club's transfer ban, Luiz offers stability, on and off the pitch.
