Filipe Luis: Chelsea defender happy despite lack of playing time

Chelsea defender Filipe Luis has said that he has no concerns about his lack of regular first-team action so far this season.

The 29-year-old left-back has made just one Premier League appearance for the Blues since his £15.8million move from Spanish champions Atletico Madrid in the summer transfer window.

The Brazil international started for Chelsea against Bolton Wanderers in the League Cup third-round tie at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

Although Luis is not guaranteed to retain his place in the starting line-up against Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday, he insists that he is happy to bide his time.

“It’s brilliant to be at this club, it’s a great feeling,” he told the London Evening Standard. “Every time I play and train, I feel I’m at a big club.

“Everyone wants to play. If you don’t, normally you’re not happy. But when I came here, I spoke with Mourinho and I knew I’d come to Chelsea to be a champion, not to be the best left-back or best crosser or something.

“When you work with Mourinho, you have to know that the group, the collective is above the individual. I don’t think about myself right now.

“The team are doing a great job. We won the first four league games and drew the fifth one. I have nothing to complain about. I have to wait for my chance and when it comes I must make sure I don’t go out of the first XI.

“When you’re not playing, sometimes you’re not full of confidence. But I feel great. I went away with the national team [earlier this month] and I had my chance here to play in the Champions League, some minutes in the Premier League and the Capital One Cup.

“So my fitness is perfect. I feel fresh. I’m not tired because I didn’t play in all the games and I hope when the coach needs me, I will be at my best and full of confidence.”