David Luiz to leave in January?

David Luiz to leave in January?

The future of David Luiz at Chelsea is certainly a hot topic at the moment.

Ever since the Blues’ 3-0 defeat to Roma, where Luiz was involved in an altercation with Antonio Conte, he has found himself on the sidelines and hasn’t featured in the league since.

Conte is adamant that Luiz remains out with a knee injury, but Sunday People Chief Football Writer Steve Bates told Sky Sports’ Sunday Supplement that he believes the Brazilian is likely to leave the club.

“At his press conference on Friday he was at pains to point out that this knee injury is genuine,” said Bates. “I had no reason to believe it’s not.

“I think his problems at Stamford Bridge go deeper than just a knee injury. From the start of the season there’s not been an easy relationship with Conte. He’s a very demanding, highly-strung boss. Obviously, in the summer we saw David Luiz’s big pal Diego Costa shipped out of the club as well.

“The pair of them (Conte and Luiz) clashed after the Roma defeat in the Champions League and I don’t think the situation has repaired itself.

“Andreas Christensen is playing extremely well at the heart of Chelsea’s defence. Conte probably sees him as the future. I don’t think Luiz is going to sit around and maybe not be a regular or not be first choice having been at the club so long.

“I know for sure that Juventus would really, really like him. Whether that deal gets done in January I’m not sure, because they’re still in the Champions League, but I suspect Luiz is not a long-term stayer at Stamford Bridge.”