Chelsea boss Antonio Conte warned about David Luiz form by Arsenal great Paul Merson

Metro.co.uk

Antonio Conte has been warned about David Luiz (Picture: Getty)

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has been warned that David Luiz seems to be slipping back into some bad habits after some unconvincing recent performances for the club.

Former Arsenal star Paul Merson has noticed some recent laziness from the Brazilian defender, who has on the whole been far more consistent in his second spell at Stamford Bridge.

Luiz had a reputation for being a slightly eccentric and error-prone performer in his first stint with Chelsea, but became a key part of Conte’s side when he rejoined from Paris Saint-Germain last year.

However, he gave away a needless penalty against Atletico Madrid in midweek and seems to be taking his foot off the gas somewhat, with Merson concerned that he could become a liability once again.

Luiz hasn’t been at his best lately (Picture: Getty)

‘David Luiz is getting a bit lazy and he reminds me of David James at the moment,’ Merson wrote in the Daily Star.

‘James was an unbelievable goalkeeper but he was that good it became too easy for him and he’d lose concentration, earning him the nickname Calamity James. It’s the same with Luiz.

‘It was so easy (against Atletico) Luiz switched off and let them back in the game by giving away a penalty. It was his second big mistake in a week.

Luiz has had one or two unconvincing games (Picture: Getty)

Should Conte be concerned by Luiz’s displays? (Picture: Getty)

Chelsea 2017/18 Fixtures

Man City (H) – Sat 30 Sep

Crystal Palace (A) – Sat 14 Oct

Roma – Champions League (H) – Wed 18 Oct

Watford (H) – Mon 23 Oct

Bournemouth (A) – Sat 28 Oct

Roma – Champions League (A) – Tue 31 Oct

‘It goes back farther, because I thought Aaron Ramsey’s winner in the FA Cup final was his fault, too. He’s just jogging back.

‘But I don’t think Chelsea should drop him. I think he needs to play through it. I’m sure Conte will have a word with him.

‘But he needs to be careful because he had a reputation in his first spell at Stamford Bridge for always giving you a chance in a game and he won’t want it back.’