Blues superstar David Luiz revealed that he took a pay cut to part ways with Paris Saint-Germain and re-join Chelsea for a second spell at the Premier League club.
Many had doubted Antonio Conte’s decision to bring back the Brazilian centre-back at Stamford Bridge on transfer deadline day in August 2016.
But the former PSG star proved his mettle under Conte’s new 3-4-3 system and anchored the Blues defence as Chelsea clinched the Premier League in style.
Luiz is eyeing to clinch a double as Chelsea lock horns with Arsenal in the FA Cup final on Saturday, but he accentuated that it was a “risk” to re-join Chelsea after playing a pivotal role in PSG’s domestic dominance in Ligue 1.
Luiz said: “I don’t always like the easy life. That’s why I took a risk and I’m very happy. It was the right decision.”
“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.”
Conte’s decision to bring Luiz back at Chelsea has been a blessing in disguise and the Brazilian is keen to repay the faith of his manager.
Luiz added: “Conte is a great person, a great character and he’s passionate – he loves football. 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.”
“I’ve been working hard a lot since the beginning of my career and to play 10 years consecutively in big clubs is not easy, and I try to give my best every season.”
“Last season was not a good season for Chelsea but this season, we have done great since the beginning – and not just because of me. Because of everybody. Because of the commitment, the desire, the mentality we put on the pitch every day. That’s why we deserve it.”