FA Cup final: David Luiz says taking pay cut to rejoin Chelsea was worth it
Last updated on .From the section Football
2017 FA Cup final |
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Venue: Wembley Stadium Date: Saturday, 27 May Kick-off: 17:30 BST |
Coverage: Watch live on BBC One, listen on BBC Radio 5 live and follow live text on the BBC Sport website |
David Luiz says his decision to take a pay cut and return to Chelsea has been vindicated by the chance of completing the Double in Saturday's FA Cup final.
The 30-year-old Brazilian left for Paris St-Germain in a £50m deal in 2014, having won the Champions League, FA Cup and Europa League with Chelsea.
He won three domestic trebles before rejoining in August for around £34m.
"I don't always like the easy life," he said. "That's why I took a risk and I'm very happy. It was the right decision."
The defender continued: "I love the risk. In your life if you don't take a risk you're not going to taste something new. Not just in your professional life, I think it's every day.
"I cut my salary to come back here. But it's OK. God has given me a lot so I'm very happy with this."
Luiz has an FA Cup winners' medal, but missed the 2012 final against Liverpool with a hamstring injury before returning as Chelsea won the Champions League on penalties.
"I don't want to miss this one. I want to play, I want to try to give my best for the team," he added.
Chelsea are seeking the league and FA Cup Double for only the second time in their history and Luiz credits Italian manager Antonio Conte for masterminding the title-winning campaign in his first season in England.
"Conte is a great person, a great character and he's passionate - he loves football," the Brazilian enthused.
"The day I arrived here we talked together and he tried to explain his philosophy to play football.
"He said to me: 'You are the player I want in my team and to improve my team.' And then I said to him: 'I'm going to work hard for you and for the team.' And that's it."
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Truly amazing individual.
Never have I seen a player "ping" an 80 yard pass like him... And he's a centre back for goodness sake...
What is undoubtedly worthy of respect though is rejoining a club that appeared in decline, in a league where he was (sometimes rightly) pilloried for being error prone, and taking them to the title with match winning performances. Fair play to him.
Thank god for food banks!!!
very noble. We should all take a 25% pay cut aswell in your honour.
"I cut my salary to come back here. But it's OK. God has given me a lot so I'm very happy with this."
Doesn't sound ungrateful to me.
However, let's not get all soppy over him taking a 'pay cut'. He still pays more tax in a week than most people earn in two or three years.
I'm sure his weekly wage is slightly lower at Chelsea than previously at PSG, but let's keep things in perspective.
Rock stars earn fortunes. Anybody who works at the pinnacle of a money generating, entertainment industry earns fortunes.
Stop being jealous. Get yer boots on and do better....if you can.
David is a hero and a thoroughly good guy.
The only thing I will remember him for this season is the cynical hack on Aguero's Achilles...blah blah
This is the same Aguerro that launched a vicious 2 footed attack on Luiz in the FA semi 2013, (probably too long ago for you) for which he should have seen red, one of the dirtiest players in the league?? What an idiot you are - and clearly grammatically challenged.
Money does not do this for you, determination and dedication does. If half of you were as dedicated as him the NHS wouldn't be spending £5.1B on people who stuff themselves regardless whatever they earn. Get on with you own lives or are you perfect?