Maurizio Sarri has said that David Luiz has a "big future" at Chelsea after he produced a composed performance in Saturday's 3-0 win over Huddersfield Town on the Premier League's opening weekend.
Making his first Premier League start since February, Luiz was rarely troubled alongside Antonio Rudiger in defence, and his confidence in possession played a key role in the Blues building their attacks from defence in the manner that Sarri is looking for.
Luiz was frozen out by previous manager Antonio Conte after a training-ground argument last season, but Chelsea's new head coach is adamant that Luiz will continue to be an influential figure in his team.
"I very much enjoy his attitude when I am working with him," Sarri said. "He is also a very good player and a very good defender.
"David is very good at building up action from our defence with the way he plays. David has a big future here. He will be very useful for us but not just on the pitch, he is also important in the dressing room."
Luiz revealed last week that he is "in love" with Sarri's more technical, expansive style of play -- an approach that requires all of Chelsea's defenders to readjust to a back four after two years of playing in Conte's 3-4-3 system.
But the former Napoli boss has no doubt that the Brazil international is up to the task.
"I disagree that he [Luiz] can only play as one of three central defenders," Sarri said. "If you are a good defender you can play in a defensive line of three and you can also play in a four.
"I don't know about what happened in the past but now he has a good chance. We only have to carry on like we are doing now with him."