Luiz: We can’t lose to Toon and Valencia
Posted Friday, December 02, 2011 by The Sun
DAVID LUIZ has warned his Chelsea team-mates: Lose to Newcastle and Valencia and our season could be over.
Andre Villas-Boas' Blues are under pressure at home and abroad.
And the next two fixtures may play a huge role in the club's destiny.
Fifth-placed Chelsea are already 10 points behind Premier League leaders Manchester City heading into tomorrow's trip to the Toon.
And they need a win or a 0-0 draw in Tuesday's home clash with Valencia if the Londoners are to reach the last 16 in the Champions League.
All that after Chelsea lost to Liverpool in the Carling Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday — their fifth defeat in nine matches in all competitions.
Centre-back Luiz, 24, insisted: "We are not a team in crisis but the games with Newcastle and Valencia will be decisive for us.
"We have suffered a series of bad results and there has been a lot of pain in the dressing room.
"But now is the moment for take off and we are determined to win our next few matches.
"We must beat Newcastle and Valencia to stay in with a chance of winning the Premier and Champions Leagues.
"But we're not thinking ahead to the Valencia game on Tuesday — our focus right now is Newcastle.
"They have been a revelation this season and have emerged as a rival similar in terms of danger to Manchester United."
John Terry and Luiz have come under-fire in recent weeks.
The Brazilian has been criticised for pushing forward too much and jumping into tackles too quickly.
And Luiz, a £21m signing from Benfica in January, admitted: "This season has not been a positive one for me.
"But I intend to improve by working harder each day — and I'm hoping for a little more luck.
"AVB is a good coach but all coaches and players need a period to adapt to each other.
"The Premier League is a very hard competition and not is easy to offer top levels from the first day.
"But the season is long and Chelsea is a team that always takes its chances at key moments. So I remain very optimistic.
"People have been talking lately about crazy mistakes but I have a strong mentality.
"I am a very strong guy and these type of comments don't touch me.
"I have a great relationship with the supporters because I don't know how to be an actor.
"I am the same person at home as I am on the pitch. I play with my heart and I play to make my family proud.
"From the first day I arrived here, until the day I leave, I am the same person."
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