Chelsea defender David Luiz is performing at a ‘world-class’ level and producing moments of magic that are comparable to Bobby Moore, according to former Tottenham forward Garth Crooks.
Eyebrows were raised when Antonio Conte spent big over the summer to bring the Brazilian back to Stamford Bridge for a second spell.
A first stint in England had delivered plenty of highs, but questions were regularly asked of the Samba star’s concentration and his ability to perform on a consistent basis.
Luiz has offered the perfect response to those critics this term, with the 3-4-3 system deployed at Chelsea seemingly tailor-made for his talents.
The 29-year-old has looked more assured in the defensive side of his game, while his ball-playing ability has never been an issue and continues to be embraced by Conte.
He showed once again over the weekend that he is becoming a complete centre-half, with his performance in a 3-1 victory over fellow Premier League title hopefuls Manchester City drawing plenty of praise.
Crooks has even gone as far as to suggest that Luiz looked reminiscent of the man who helped guide England to World Cup glory back in 1966.
He wrote in a column for BBC Sport: "What a ball for Diego Costa to score. I don't know what was better, Costa's movement in order to offer the invitation for David Luiz to attempt the 40-yard wonder ball or the sheer audacity and precision of the pass. I suppose the movement combined with the chest trap made it for me.
"The last time I saw a centre-back put a centre forward in on goal so well or so deliberately was Bobby Moore in the World Cup final in 1966. It was just masterful. As a former player I saw defenders try something like that but seldom did it work.
"I even played with defenders who would not have given a moment's thought to attempting such an adventurous manoeuvre for fear of ridicule. That was left to the midfield players - providing you had one that could pass, of course.
"It's great to see world-class defenders producing world-class moments".
Chelsea’s victory over City on Saturday made it eight in a row for the Premier League leaders, with a three-point lead having now been opened up on the top-flight’s chasing pack.