Round-up: Conte backs Luiz, Blues U23s beat Spurs, QPR eye France U19 ace, R’s duo could go

David Luiz of Chelsea

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte says he can improve David Luiz as a player following the Brazilian’s recent return to the club.

Luiz was criticised for some defensive lapses during his first spell at Stamford Bridge, but Conte has insisted he can become one of the world’s best centre-backs.

Speaking of centre-backs, Conte has also suggested that he might play with three of them instead of a flat back four in the future. 

Meanwhile, Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling has been named player of the month for August ahead of Chelsea star Eden Hazard.

The stats suggested Hazard would be the winner
The stats suggested Hazard would be the winner

Many Chelsea fans on Twitter reacted with disbelief to the news that Hazard had not won the award.

Chelsea’s development side were in action on Friday evening, beating Tottenham 3-1 at the Bridge in an excellent display watched by Conte.

QPR are continuing to keep tabs on Paris St-Germain’s Roli PereiraWest London Sport previously revealed that they were unable to push through a deal to sign him prior to the recent transfer deadline.

Rangers are also likely to listen to any offers for Michael Doughty and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas when the transfer window reopens in January.

Doughty and Emmanuel-Thomas are currently out on loan
Doughty and Emmanuel-Thomas are currently out on loan

The R’s will again be without Joel Lynch against Blackburn on Saturday, while new loan signing Pawel Wszolek must wait for his debut because of a suspension carried over from his parent club Hellas Verona.

In cricket, Middlesex remain on course to lift their first County Championship title since 1993 after a nail-biting five-wicket victory against Nottinghamshire.

And at the Paralympics, Marc McCarroll and Andy Lapthorne both came through their wheelchair tennis first-round matches in Rio.