David Luiz Had The Most Minimal Role Possible In Training Ahead Of United Win

When David Luiz walked down the Stamford Bridge tunnel wearing his normal club gear on Sunday afternoon, many raised eyebrows as to why he wasn't in the match day squad.

Ahead of the Manchester United game,which Chelsea won 1-0 courtesy of an Alvaro Morata header, Luiz played the last two matches with his right leg strapped, so many immediately put two and two together and presumed that an injury was the reason behind his absence.

Image: PA

But it later transpired that following on from the dismal 3-0 away loss to Roma in the Champions League, the Brazilian was never in contention to be involved at Stamford Bridge.

Rumours emerged that Luiz was not injured, but had been dropped by Chelsea manager Antonio Conte. In fact, for the two days building up to the game, Luiz didn't train with the first-team - not training at all on one day and being made to train on his own on the other because he questioned his manager's methods.

As explained by Matt Law from The Telegraph, Luiz might as well have been a ball boy for a full-size game the Chelsea squad played in as part of their preparation. He watched on from the sidelines, along with Charly Musonda.

The exact quote reads:

"Players were surprised that Luiz was left out of an 11 v 11 training game ahead of the visit of Manchester United and was effectively made a ball boy as he and Charly Musonda were left to kick a ball about on the sidelines."

In his post match press conference, Antonio Conte revealed that Luiz was left out because of a tactical decision.

Image: PA

Asked if there was a row between the pair, he said via The Telegraph: "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."

"I don't know [if he has a future at Chelsea], he has to work really hard with the others, otherwise they are on the bench or in the stand." Conte told Sky Sports via The Mirror.

Is it the end for Luiz at Chelsea?

Sound off in the comments.

Topics: Chelsea, Manchester United, david luiz, Antonio Conte

Josh Lawless

Josh is a writer who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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