Hazard: It’s good to have people like Luiz in the team

Joe Williams
Chelsea star Eden Hazard appeared to send a message to Antonio Conte after his fall-out with defender David Luiz.

Conte said he “did not know” if the Brazilian had a future at Stamford Bridge when asked by a reporter following Luiz’s omission from the matchday squad in their 1-0 victory over Manchester United last weekend.

Andreas Christensen took his place in the starting line-up, while youngster Ethan Ampadu was on the bench – but Conte insisted that Luiz’s absence was completely tactical.

And Eden Hazard has revealed that Luiz has a big influence on the rest of the dressing room and he is key to others happiness at the club.

Hazard was asked on Soccer AM who the biggest joker at the club was, he responded: “Luiz. The geezer, always smiling, so he’s in a good mood all the time.

“It’s good to have people like this in the team.”

Luiz’s performance during their heavy 3-0 defeat to Roma in the Champions League is understood to have sparked off a row between Conte and the centre-back.