With just under a week to go until the transfer window across Europe closes there could still be players heading for the Stamford Bridge exit. Deadline day on Friday won’t have the excitement of new incoming players but it could still mark the departure of some old Chelsea favourites.
Since Jose Mourinho’s final aborted season at Chelsea in 2015/16, Willian has grown in stature amongst the vast majority of Chelsea supporters. However, there are still dissenting voices amongst a certain breed of keyboard warrior who attach themselves to Chelsea but have never really understood the hard-working Brazilian.
Willian’s work ethic in that awful final season under the rule of the Portuguese One was nothing short of phenomenal. He dragged his teammates through some of those games kicking and screaming, and was second only to Diego Costa in goals and assists.
Even under Antonio Conte, whom Willian has said “was very difficult to work with,” he gave everything to the cause. He never moaned at being left out and was a brilliant squad player.
His frustrations with Conte’s methods eventually wore him down, though, and his professionalism slipped during the latter stages of last season. To many, “emoji-cup-gate” was a disgrace.
The Brazilian also stated that, had Conte stayed, he would have left. To his credit, a chance to go to Barcelona arose but he rejected that in favour of a stay in west London and the opportunity to fight for his place. A link-up with Mourinho at Manchester United was also heavily mooted. However, at 30 years old and with just under two years left on his contract, Willian may find game time more difficult to come by than he would hope.
The return of Eden Hazard following Belgium’s long World Cup run, the emergence of Ross Barkley and the re-invention of N’golo Kante give new boss Maurizio Sarri more opportunities to overlook Wilian. Pedro starting the season like a log on fire and the lurking presence of Callum Hudson-Odoi could combine to force Willian to take up the role of chief bench-warmer.
With all that in mind, it may be best for all parties if there is an amicable separation. Willian deserves to be playing regular football. He’s more than just a super-sub. When it comes time to negotiate a new contract, history tells us the Blues’ hierarchy are unlikely to look beyond a 12-month deal (see: Pedro).
During his four season spell with Chelsea, Willian won the Premier League twice and picked up an FA Cup and League Cup winners’ medal. His 239 appearances have resulted in 44 goals and 40 assists.
From the club’s point of view, now might be the best time to look to profit from their £32 million investment from 2013. In value terms, for an attacking midfielder, Willian is reaching his peak. Transfermarkt currently values him at £45 million, a nice little £13 million profit for Roman Abramovich.
From a fan’s point of view, whether they love or loathe him, now is definitely the premium time to off-load Willian. With the transfer window in the Premier League operating on a different time-scale to rest of the known universe, Jose Mourinho can’t get his sticky Manchester United fingers on him before January.
Whether Willian stays or goes, real Chelsea fans – true supporters of football – will always appreciate what he has done for their club. That’s true of anyone who dons the blue shirt of Chelsea. Chelsea supporters, Chelsea fans are a special breed who do not disrespect former players no matter how they perform on the pitch.
As to where he’ll end up should he leave, the chances are the Old Trafford boat may well have sailed. With Mourinho in the final throes of his triennial meltdown, Willian may have to wait for the Portuguese’s next appointment before they once again join forces.
By the time the next window closes, Manchester United will probably have Zinedine Zidane in charge. That will create a whole new issue for Chelsea FC and its supporters to worry about (see: Eden Hazard).