Frank Lampard called David Luiz ‘hugely important’ in a rather awkwardly-timed programme interview that only came out after the centre-back had joined Arsenal.

Luiz’s move from Chelsea to Arsenal on deadline-day came as a bit of a surprise to many of us. After all, the defender had only signed a new contract with the Blues a few months earlier, and he was a key member of their team in 2018/19 – making 50 appearances.

It wasn’t just those of us on the outside though. It seems even Chelsea boss Frank Lampard and his media team initially expected the defender to stick around.

In Lampard’s interview for the UEFA Super Cup programme, released on Wednesday, he claimed David Luiz and Cesar Azpilicueta were “both hugely important” to Chelsea.

Awkward question to Lampard in the programme. I guess they interviewed him before deadline day… pic.twitter.com/yyub6zqtH1

— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) August 14, 2019

The interview clearly took place before Luiz’s transfer, which makes the comments a bit awkward now. Especially so given Chelsea have conceded six goals in their first two games, albeit to Manchester United and Liverpool.

From an Arsenal point of view, Unai Emery will be hoping Lampard’s right about Luiz’s importance this season. It’s certainly a gamble for Chelsea to suddenly lose a 50-game centre-back, so they’ll have to adapt quickly.