Luiz to carry on touching display

DAVID LUIZ will continue to touch his Chelsea team-mates before kick-off despite their amusement at the Brazilian placing his hands on Fernando Torres ahead of the 5-0 win Champions League group win over Genk on Wednesday, in which the Spaniard scored twice.

Luiz was pictured with his palm on Torres's head and his eyes closed, apparently in prayer. But it is understood that Luiz was not praying — just carrying out a pre-game ritual he believes can bring the team luck, the 24-year-old being described as a “tactile person”.

And, while this was not a practice aimed specifically at Torres and his difficult start to his Chelsea career, there is a feeling that the 27-year-old has been unfairly criticised since joining in January.