Chelsea defender David Luiz once again showed just how important he is to the team in their vital 4-2 victory against Southampton in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.

It was a result that increased their advantage over second-placed Tottenham Hotspur to seven points – before Spurs face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Wednesday – and has kept them in contention to win the title for the second time in three seasons.

Even though Blues club captain John Terry has only played a bit-part role this term and has announced that he is leaving the west London outfit at the end of the campaign, Antonio Conte’s men are on course to pick up another league trophy and much of that is down to the form of their backline.

The Brazilian has been one of the key players alongside Gary Cahill and Cesar Azpilicueta this season even though some Chelsea fans would have had their reservations when they re-signed him from Paris Saint-Germain last summer, but he has certainly proven those supporters wrong by helping his side concede just 29 goals in their 33 top flight games.

The 30-year-old once again showed that Conte doesn’t need to sign a Terry replacement this summer with another committed defensive performance against Saints, as he made seven clearances, one interception and two blocks.

In addition, he showed his strength in the air by winning all four of the aerial duels he faced while he also won two tackles to keep the likes of Manolo Gabbiadini and Dusan Tadic at bay.

His defensive awareness and positioning has certainly improved since his first spell at Stamford Bridge, and Luiz will hope to lead Chelsea another step closer to winning the Premier League title when they face Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday.

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