Transfer News:
Chelsea have turned into a club with somewhat of a weird transfer policy over the years. Last summer was the epitome of a club with an erratic transfer policy as they failed to secure their primary targets and had to be content with players who were not there in the manager’s initial plans. This pattern seems to be continuing now as Willian has been touted to leave Chelsea and Barcelona have reportedly emerged as one of the clubs who are interested in securing his signature this summer.
Willian wasn’t a regular starter last season as Antonio Conte preferred a 3-5-2 formation over the usual 3-4-3 and this meant that there was no place for the Brazilian winger in the playing XI. He was linked with a move to Manchester United too, but Barcelona seems to have made contact and it could well turn out to be an interesting transfer saga in the end.
Willian: Player Profile
The Brazilian winger is quick and industrious in the wide areas, regularly contributing in both attack as well as defensive scenarios. His footwork enables him to carry the ball ahead with him, and his ability to pick out good passes is something that allows him to create goal-scoring opportunities too. He is a very productive winger, who is moulded in an old-fashioned way, to be honest. Willian’s tendency to stretch the game to the byline, and then to send testing deliveries into the box at a consistent basis means that he is quite different from wingers who try to cut into their stronger foot and take an attempt.
He is very important during counter-attacks, and his initial burst of pace allows him to romp forward with that characteristic Brazilian flair and quick decision-making ability. In 36 Premier League appearances last season, he scored six goals and assisted seven times. However, he started only 20 of those games as his game time was reduced due to the change of systems midway through the tournament. Willian delivered 1.9 key passes per game in the Premier League and dribbled past his opponent 1.7 times too.
Should Chelsea let him leave?
From Barcelona’s perspective, this looks to be a good deal. Willian is 30-years-old, so one does not expect him to be a regular starter in Spain. He can provide the occasional bit of extra energy on the field, and can eventually pave his way into the team as his tenacity and determination on the field is difficult to ignore. Chelsea should try to stick to him unless they find a better, younger alternative. Willian provides experience, and a new dimension to the game whenever he steps on the field. Chelsea will surely undergo a transition if Antonio Conte leaves, so it would be wise for them to try their best to keep hold of the Brazilian for as long as possible.