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Chelsea's David Luiz relieved Torres is on his side

David Luiz
Luiz joined Chelsea on deadline day after protracted talks with Benfica

Chelsea's David Luiz has said he is relieved to be playing in the same side as Fernando Torres, his fellow new arrival at Stamford Bridge.

Torres scored twice as Liverpool beat Luiz's former club Benfica 4-1 in the Europa League last April.

And Luiz hopes to line up alongside the Spain international when Chelsea meet Liverpool on Sunday.

"He is difficult of course because he is a big player," defender Luiz said of Chelsea's record signing.

"So now I am so happy that I can play in the same team as him and not against him," he told his club's official website.

Luiz, 23, and Torres completed their moves to Chelsea on deadline day on Monday. Chelsea paid Benfica £25m for Brazil international Luiz and spent £50m on Torres.

Neither played in Chelsea's 4-2 win at Sunderland on Tuesday night, having only arrived in London that morning.

But Luiz, who has signed a five-and-a-half-year contract, has told manager Carlo Ancelotti he is ready to face Liverpool.

"I hope I can play quickly, and I feel 100% to play tomorrow if I need to," he said.

"I want to help the team in whichever way Mr Ancelotti wants me to do, wherever in the team. As long as I am on the field, I am happy.

"I am most comfortable in the centre but can play on the side also."

Luiz made his Brazil debut last year and joins fellow Brazil internationals Alex and Ramires, a former team-mate at Benfica, at Chelsea.

It is a big challenge for me, but I have a strong desire to get a space in this group and establish myself

David Luiz

"I have known Alex for a long time," he said. "I have a lot of admiration for him, I like his football and his personality, and obviously we have both played in the national team, so he is somebody who I know well."

Although Alex is injured, Luiz does not expect an automatic place in Chelsea's first team.

"I always knew there would be competition because Chelsea is a big club and you have to be a top player to play here," said Luiz.

"It is a big challenge for me, but I have a strong desire to get a space in this group and establish myself and learn from my new team-mates to become a better player and have more skills.

"The best league in the world is the Premier League, so I am so happy to be here playing with and against big players.

"All great players want to play against other great players, and I hope this is my time."

Luiz signed for Benfica in 2007 and missed only one of 30 league matches last season as the Lisbon side won the Portuguese title for the first time in five years.

He is not eligible to represent Chelsea in this season's Champions League because he played for Benfica in the knockout stage.



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see also
Chelsea complete signing of Luiz
01 Feb 11 |  Chelsea
Torres to make debut against Reds
01 Feb 11 |  Premier League
Torres targets goal against Reds
01 Feb 11 |  Chelsea
Chelsea pay record fee for Torres
31 Jan 11 |  Chelsea


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