Jose Mourinho Explains Reasons for Keeping David Luiz

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has dismissed Barcelona's pursuit of defender David Luiz.

The Catalan giants have made Luiz their number one transfer target for the remainder of the window and earlier this week were understood to have submitted a £35m bid for the Brazilian international.

And Mourinho has wasted little time in rejecting Barca's interest in Luiz, who he claims is an important part of Chelsea's upcoming campaign.

'The bid? It's lost time for them," said Mourinho.

'My advice to them is to go to the second player on their list because they are wasting their time. We don't want to lose our best players. No chance.

"I have known of David Luiz from the very beginning so I know him very, very well," the Portuguese boss added.

"And before I came back to Chelsea, I watched him week after week.

"I see him as a centre-back because he has an important quality for a footballer - he can build from the back.

"He is very comfortable and confident with using the ball from the back - he does not play direct.

"And he can improve, especially defensively. He can be much more effective, much more solid. But the potential he has is amazing, incredible."

After an inconspicuous start to his career in English football, Luiz came into his own last season and proved vital as Chelsea claimed the Europa League and finished third in the Premier League.

Under interim manager Rafa Benitez Luiz was often moved into a central midfield role but according to Mourinho can expect to be used in defence more often in the new season.

Upon the return of Mourinho for a second spell at Stamford Bridge reports had suggested Luiz had fallen out of favour with the ex-Real Madrid boss.

Manchester United briefed media during the first-leg of their pre-season tour that Chelsea had offered Luiz in exchange for striker Wayne Rooney, swelling rumours regarding his future in west London.