David Luiz praises Chelsea target Paulinho

David Luiz has encouraged the Chelsea hierarchy to persist in their pursuit of Brazilian Paulinho, who is currently awaiting Chelsea or Monterrey to join Corinthians in the World Club Cup final.

Chelsea recently lost Oriol Romeu to injury for six months, and will lose John Obi Mikel shortly to the African Cup of Nations. This will leave them a player or two short for the rest of the season.

Chelsea will also lose Victor Moses to the African Nations and are looking to strengthen the playing squad in January.

Recalling Josh McEachran from his loan at Middlesbrough could be an option, but the England U-21 has insisted he wishes to stay out on-loan, where he is enjoying a run of first-team football.

Chelsea seem more likely to spend in January, with the team being linked to various players, such as Marouane Fellaini and Paulinho, the latter of which is in Japan expecting to play Chelsea on Sunday.

The Brazilian was targeted by the Blues in the Summer and it is yet to be seen whether Chelsea will follow up their interest in January.

And Luiz, a boyhood Corinthians fan, identified his 24-year-old Brazil team-mate as a being among the South American champions’ key threats.

‘Paulinho plays for the national team, and [there are] other experienced players like Douglas, the number 10, who has a lot of quality with his left foot,’ Luiz said.

‘I have lots of friends there.

‘I know them, they know me. If it’s this game in the final, it’s a great game to have.’

Paulinho failed to impress me in today’s semi-final, but it was a weak game in general. Hopefully we will earn our spot in the final tomorrow, and then we will see how he fares against our Chelsea stars.