Chelsea head coach Frank Lampard has opened up on David Luiz's surprise move to Arsenal.
The 32-year-old completed his £8m transfer to the Gunners on deadline day, bringing an end to his second spell at Stamford Bridge.
It's a move that has shocked many Blues supporters as the Brazilian central defender only signed a new deal with the west London outfit as recently as May and looked set to play a key role under Lampard this season.
However, he's now an Arsenal player. Although, Lampard has revealed the truth amid claims Luiz went on strike and refused to train in order to seal a move to the Emirates Stadium.
"We had some conversations over the last week, honest ones and the conclusion was that he should move on," Lampard said in his pre-match press conference at Cobham. "It’s a position that I have a lot of competition.
"Everyone has to understand that.
"He has moved on and we wish him the absolute best, because he has been a big part of our history.
"There wasn’t any strikes. No fall-outs, just honest conversations. As a player I want that as a manager, and i think I got that from David.
"Him not training was a decision I made as I felt that is what I made at the time."
Then when asked if the Blues have strengthened a rival in the race for a top four spot, Lampard replied by saying:
"You can’t dictate too much what happens at times. The decision was that he moves on to Arsenal and I focus on here.
"Yes he is a good player."
Speaking of his decision to leave Chelsea, Luiz said: "The cycle finished there. It was a conversation between me and Chelsea and everybody. I had an opportunity to come to another big club.
"In my life, I’ve always liked to do some challenges. I’m not scared at all to try things.
"I think not too many players would make this kind of move, they would maybe be scared, or something like that.
"I’m just trying to do big things in my life, so like I said, my cycle at Chelsea finished and now I’m excited to start a new chapter of my life here."
