Chelsea defender David Luiz knows the critics are gunning for him.

The Brazilian has been criticised for pushing forward too much and jumping into tackles too quickly.

And Luiz, a £21m signing from Benfica in January, admitted to The Sun: "This season has not been a positive one for me.

"But I intend to improve by working harder each day - and I'm hoping for a little more luck. AVB is a good coach but all coaches and players need a period to adapt to each other.

"The Premier League is a very hard competition and not is easy to offer top levels from the first day. But the season is long and Chelsea is a team that always takes its chances at key moments. So I remain very optimistic.

"People have been talking lately about crazy mistakes but I have a strong mentality. I am a very strong guy and these type of comments don't touch me.

"I have a great relationship with the supporters because I don't know how to be an actor. I am the same person at home as I am on the pitch. I play with my heart and I play to make my family proud.

"From the first day I arrived here, until the day I leave, I am the same person."