David Luiz was pleased to be back in the side on Wednesday night, and is now determined to keep hold of his place as he continues to revel in life as a Chelsea player.
The Brazilian international was recalled by manager Andre Villas-Boas for our Champions League group game against Genk at Stamford Bridge, having been rested for our win over Everton after some gruelling travel to and from international duty with games in Costa Rica and Mexico.
'We had a chat because I had a very tiring journey, it was three flights going both ways so I was pretty tired,' explained the 24-year-old.
'Chelsea has a wonderful, high quality squad and the medical department takes care of the players so that we can give our best and not jeopardise our recovery. They thought because I was so tired it would be better to sit that game out. There are so many other players who can fill in that that is the way it has to be.
'You cannot get a player to play when he is not 100 percent fit when you have 100 percent players waiting to play. That was the decision and I think it was the best one, but now I am fit and played on Wednesday I want to keep my place.'
The mop-haired defender has quickly earned himself a reputation as a training ground joker, and he is clearly happy in his surroundings, reflected in his good start to the season under new management.
'The manager encourages us to give us confidence,' he said. 'We have a brilliant squad, all the players are top players and we have been playing well. All he has to do is keep motivating us so that we can do our best on the pitch.
'I have been enjoying life and talk about this all the time with the other players. We know we can't really complain, we are privileged to have this life to do what we love doing. During the Bolton game, and against Genk, we would say to each other that we have to enjoy this, it is wonderful and we know there is no reason to complain about anything at Chelsea. In sports, that's what matters most, to be joyful and enjoy yourself.'
