Jamie Redknapp believes David Luiz could be the "real deal" after being left impressed with the Chelsea defender's performances since returning to England in the summer.
Chelsea re-signed Luiz from Paris Saint-Germain on transfer deadline day after coach Antonio Conte failed to recruit his first-choice defensive targets but despite some doubts about the Brazilian's defensive capabilities, Luiz has flourished back at Stamford Bridge.
The 29-year-old has been used in the middle of Chelsea's new three-man defence, with Gary Cahill and Cesar Azpilicueta either side of him, and the trio have kept four consecutive clean sheets in the Premier League since the 3-0 defeat to Arsenal.
Redknapp believes Luiz's defensive solidity under Conte is part of the reason why the Blues are doing so well in the top-flight, saying the Brazilian now looks like a "serious defender".
In Pictures | Southampton vs Chelsea | 30/10/2016
"There is a hunger about this Chelsea team. The manager has brought that in and the players are buying into it," Redknapp said on Sky Sports following Chelsea's 2-0 win at Southampton on Sunday.
"Every single player on that pitch is working hard and there's a desire about them again. Conte has got them so well drilled. Everybody knows their job when they have the ball and it suits them defensively as well.
"Luiz looks - I'm scared to say it - like a serious defender. You've got him buying into it as well, and that was a problem for Chelsea for many years. But when he's like that, he looks the real deal."
