It is a future which looks certain to involve the Brazilian after he was rewarded with a new two-year deal in May. The contract was testament to the defender’s renaissance last season, rediscovering the form which saw him play a pivotal role in Chelsea’s Premier League triumph in 2016/17.He told the magazine: ‘The new contract means a lot as well. I’m glad to be here, so happy to be at this club. I love this club and I still have the ambition of a young player, so that’s why I have this opportunity to show I have the same hunger.’David Luiz firmly believes that his hunger is shared by his Chelsea team-mates, who fought back after some underwhelming winter months to end the season on a high.‘I think a few months ago, nobody would have believed that Chelsea could come back and finish in the top three. We did that and now we have also won in a European final against Arsenal.‘I think if we keep this mentality, take all the positive things we did this season and if we continue to improve and learn, we are going to be fighting for every title around the world.‘You think about winning every single competition because if it’s not like that, you cannot play for a big club.’

The 32-year-old undoubtedly knows a thing or two about winning, having lifted nearly every trophy English club football has to offer. No English sides won more than Manchester City or Liverpool last year, and David Luiz regards these two clubs as the blueprint for Chelsea moving forward.‘Now we have to understand what we have to do and what we can improve. I think we can see Liverpool and City have had the same philosophy for a few years.‘We have to realise that and to have the humility to say they’ve had more time than us to reach this level, and it’s also an example for us to try to improve ourselves.’But with the young players at Chelsea’s disposal, the veteran defender is confident that the Blues are moving in the right direction.‘The new generation is adapted for modern football. They already grew up learning about this kind of football, with the strength, quality, speed.’Nor are they just any young players. The fact that the cream of Chelsea’s current crop is English – the likes of Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Callum Hudson-Odoi – is reminiscent for David of his first spell at the club.‘First I’m happy because I understand teams like Chelsea need their English players, their English boys to play for us again, and we are trying to build legends for them again, like Lampard was, like Terry was.’It was sad for everyone at Chelsea that the pair were forced out of the Europa League final with injuries, especially after doing so much to get us there. But David Luiz, who has himself missed spells through injury, has no doubt they will come back even stronger to play a massive role for the club in the years to come. He told the magazine: ‘For sure they are going to continue to improve, they are going to continue to play at the top.’

Farewell Gary

After eight hugely successful seasons that brought us as many major trophies, Gary Cahill and Chelsea are parting ways. From winning the Champions League in his first season in European competition, to captaining the Blues to a Premier League title, the English defender has enjoyed a sparkling career which Chelsea reviews through a series of iconic photographs.

Captain Carney on the world stage

With the Women’s World Cup off to a flying start, the magazine brings you an exclusive interview with Chelsea Women’s captain and Lionesses veteran, Karen Carney.She reveals the factor keeping her motivated during her ninth international tournament, and discusses the responsibility of the captain’s armband after her first season as Chelsea skipper.

Ten Great European Goalscorers

On the back of our most recent European triumph in Baku, this month’s edition delves deeper into the Blues’ continental history by taking a look at the goalscoring heroes of our European campaigns, past and present.

What else is inside?

Perfect Partners features Steve Finnieston and Kenny Swain whose goals helped power Chelsea back into the top flight in the mid-1970s, and in the glorious aftermath of the Europa League win, 10 Great European Goalscorers are celebrated in the July edition. Ken Monkou, our elegant Dutch defender from the 1990s, is another past player featured and there is other news and views.

The July edition of Chelsea magazine is available to buy for £3.95 in the Chelsea Megastore at Stamford Bridge and all good newsagents. It can also be ordered online

- By Ben Case