Barcelona are reportedly still keen on signing Chelsea winger Willian in the summer when his contract with the Blues expires. The Brazilian, who has been with Chelsea since 2013, has made over 300 appearances for the London side.
As per Marca, the 31-year-old will not sign a new deal with Chelsea and is set to leave on a free transfer. Barcelona, who have previously shown interest in signing him, have reportedly spoken to Willian’s representatives over a deal to bring him to Nou Camp in the summer. The experienced attacker has won the Premier League title twice with Chelsea, while also winning the FA Cup, League Cup, and Europa League once with the Blues.
The 31-year-old attacker has scored 57 goals and assisted 58 times in 323 games for the Blues.
Willian to Barcelona: Do they really need him?
Barcelona’s interest in signing Willian hasn’t died down with reports a few seasons ago suggesting that the Catalans wanted to sign him. It is baffling as to why Barca would want a player like Willian in their team. While he is a solid player who can add goals and assists and would be a useful squad player for most clubs, the La Liga side need players in other areas that is a priority at the moment. Luis Suarez’s injury had Barca scrambling to find a replacement in January, which did not materialise but they are sure to address that area in the summer with resources running scarce.
And that is the position that Barcelona should concentrate on adding players to. Willian can play as a right or left winger, which could perhaps see Lionel Messi or Antoine Griezmann play up front, but both these stars are at their best when they’re with the ball, cutting into the central areas and changing their positions for a new 31-year-old arrival who is known for his direct approach while going on the attack.
Another issue with the deal to bring Willian is that he will be just a short-term option as he turns 32 in August, and perhaps has just a few years at the top. Barcelona should rather consider signing a young player who has many more years to offer or even promote someone from their youth academy. The Brazilian has also not been at his best for Chelsea over the last few seasons and is not a player in form.
Barcelona, at the moment, need a player who is of better quality than Willian and also someone younger and this persistent rumour, to be honest, has many scratching their heads for quite some time now.