Luiz: 'Chelsea can win PL next year'

Chelsea defender David Luiz has insisted that the Blues have the quality to win next season's Premier League.



The Stamford Bridge outfit have struggled to compete with Manchester United for the league title this season, but after lifting the Champions League and Europa League trophies in successive seasons, Luiz believes that his team have the quality to compete for the title.



The 26-year-old told reporters:

"We need to win titles. This is a big club. Always you have the opportunity to play big games, play important competitions, so next year Chelsea want more European titles, want the Premier League, want everything.



"The team has a lot of quality that's why we won two big trophies in two years.



"The Premier League this season was a little bit bad but I think this team has a lot of quality for the Premier League next year."

The Brazilian international has impressed for Chelsea this season, scoring seven oals in 56 appearances

Luiz: I'm living the dream

David Luiz has said that he is fulfilling his dreams with Chelsea. The 26-year-old Brazil defender, or midfielder, has been a key component of the Blues side which has reached tomorrow's UEFA Europa League final against his former club Benfica, where he hopes to realise his ambition of more silverware.

Luiz, who won the FA Cup and UEFA Champions League in his first full season at Stamford Bridge, said: "When I was young, I dreamt one day of playing for a big club. Now I have the opportunity.



"I dreamt of playing in big games - now I have another opportunity. I dreamt of playing in finals - now I have another opportunity. I'm so happy with this."



Luiz is thrilled to be playing against his former club, too. His Blues team-mate Ramires is also a former Benfica player. "I have a lot of love for Benfica but inside the game it's for Chelsea," added Luiz, who moved to London from Lisbon in January 2011.

It will be a magnificent day and a difficult game for us. Chelsea have an opportunity to win one more European title, so let's do it.

David Luiz on the Europa League final

"It's naturally emotional because it's a final. Everyone wants to win, I want to win. Benfica, for sure, want to win. It will be a magnificent day and a difficult game for us. Chelsea have an opportunity to win one more European title, so let's do it."



Luiz has been deployed at centre-half and in defensive midfield this term, but wherever he plays he has influenced matches. The Brazilian, who scored in each leg of the semi-final with Basle, said: "I just try my best every game and in the final, I'll do everything. If I get another opportunity to score a goal, I'm happy with this."



Asked if he has a position of preference, Luiz said: "In the starting XI. I enjoy playing football. I love football. I try my best in all the positions. When you're open to learn things, you can change positions, you can learn more and you can improve your game."



Luiz attributed his enhanced influence this term to being more mature and he has played nearly every game of the campaign. The Europa League final will be the 68th competitive match of the season, but Luiz is not feeling any ill effects. He said: "There's no time to be tired. I'm so fresh and I want to win."

Luiz wants to hurt United

David Luiz has warned Manchester United that Chelsea will be determined to end their double dream when the two sides meet in the FA Cup quarter-final on Sunday.



Defeat to Real Madrid on Tuesday night put paid to United’ treble ambition but they still hold a commanding lead in the Premier League and have the chance of doing the domestic double, provided they can get passed Chelsea.



Tuesday’s loss was United’s first since December and they will be keen to make amends when Rafael Benitez brings his Chelsea side to Old Trafford on Sunday.



Luiz, however, is keen to inflict more pain on United and he has urged his team-mates to capitalise on the Red Devils loss to Real Madrid.

“It’s difficult when you have been knocked out of an amazing competition like the Champions League because your confidence is not the same after,” Luiz said.

“The happiness in Manchester United’s hearts will not be there and Chelsea can use this to win our game on Sunday.

“United will be playing at home but some players and supporters will be thinking ‘it’s not the Champions League’ and it will be difficult for them to come in with the same form.”

Ahead of the FA Cup tie, Chelsea face their own European test against Steaua Bucharest on Thursday and Benitez has no plans to rest players for the United clash.

“Sunday against Manchester United is something we can only think about when this game is finished because I have a responsibility to focus on every game,” Benitez explained.

“We have a lot of games to play, but we believe fatigue will not be a problem for the players so long as we do this properly. This is the way when you are a top club, playing so many matches at this stage of the season.

“You have to be prepared for that and as the manager, it is my job to look at the squad and make decisions from game to game. You cannot say the FA Cup is more important. Chelsea should look to win every game, every competition.”

Things not good at Chelsea

David Luiz has confirmed reports that there was a heated exchange of views in the Chelsea dressing room in the wake of the 2-1 defeat to West Brom on Saturday.



There were widespread reports that staff and players were involved in a heated dispute after the final whistle at The Hawthorns with some media outlets suggesting that shouts could be heard in the West Brom dressing room.



Chelsea have won just two points from a possible 12 and it has been claimed that manager Roberto Di Matteo is fighting for his future at Stamford Bridge just six months after guiding the Blues to Champions League glory.



The reports of the heated exchange did little to quell the rumours and Luiz has confirmed that voices were raised in the dressing room after the loss.



“We were upset and angry, disappointed because we should have won the game,” Luiz confirmed. “There were raised voices. It’s normal. This is a big club and we don’t like to lose games. But all we can do now is look ahead to the next game.



“It’s not good at the moment, because we started the season at the top of the league. But all the big teams have come to West Brom and it has not been easy for them. West Brom have a good philosophy and a great coach, but we are disappointed because Chelsea want to be top of the table always.”



Chelsea travel to Italy to face Juventus in their penultimate Group E match in the Champions League on Tuesday and Luiz believes it is the perfect opportunity for Di Matteo’s side to get back to winning ways.



“What’s past is past, and the future is Juventus. It will be difficult and Juventus are a great team. They are just one point behind us. This is the most important game in the group,” he added.



“In the Champions League, we have a great opportunity to qualify even though Juventus and Shakhtar are both great teams.



“But we will never forget how important the Premier League is. There is a bit of a gap at the top and we don’t want to get too far behind the other teams. In two or three games, everything can change and Chelsea will be fighting for the top of the league again.”