"I left Chelsea because of Zlatan Ibrahimovic," says PSG defender David Luiz
David Luiz’s €60 million transfer to Paris Saint-Germain saw him leave Chelsea last summer for the Ligue 1 side, and speaking to Daily Mail in an interview, the Brazilian recently revealed the reason behind it. According to Luiz, it was Paris Saint-Germain’s eccentric striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic who acted as the catalyst for the move.
The defender reveals that Ibrahimovic had urged him to leave the Blues for PSG last season when the two side faced each other in the Champions League.
"There are two Zlatans: one the media portrays and then the real one," Luiz told the Mail. "He was one of the big reasons that I chose to join Paris. When Chelsea played Paris he said to me during the game,' you need to come and play with us next season.”
"He is one of the best players in the world, and a great guy," he adds.
Chelsea have been tied against PSG for the round of 16 tie in the Champions League which will mean a return for Luiz to the Stamford Bridge to face his former boss, Jose Mourinho.
"Mourinho and I have a mutual respect and I will shake his hand," he said. "Of course Mourinho knows Zlatan well from Inter and will have a plan to try and stop him, but when Zlatan is on form he is unstoppable."