Chelsea: What are the Blues missing with Willian’s departure?

Willian has officially made the switch to the red side of London, which begs the question as to what Chelsea will be missing with his departure?

Willian’s contract expired after seven years with the Blues; the two sides couldn’t reach an agreement for a new deal and both decided to path ways. What could his departure mean for Chelsea down the road?

Willian arrived at Chelsea from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2013 and the jury has been out on him since then. Willian is clearly talented as his easy on the eye free kicks were a joy to watch, but Eden Hazard had arrived at Chelsea a season before and so fans had high expectations. Willian was predominantly a left winger, a fact not so well-known amongst supporters, he played similarly to the way Hazard did, cutting inside on his right. Willian’s arrival at Chelsea meant that he was moved to the right whenever he shared the pitch with Hazard, which isn’t an easy transition.

At Shakhtar, Willian recorded 100 goal involvements across 221 games and averaged a goal contribution every 2.21 games. His first few seasons at Chelsea saw him fluctuating between the starting XI and the bench and under the management of Jose Mourinho, he played mainly as a right winger. He also sometimes played as a central attacking midfielder and even this was tricky because he had to contend with Oscar, who was also superb at his role and had a work rate that Mourinho admired.

At Chelsea, Willian registered 125 goal involvements playing 339 games and averaged a goal contribution every 2.71 games. What’s more is that while Willian played majority of his matches for Shakhtar at left wing, he played majority of his matches for Chelsea at right wing. For one, Chelsea will miss Willian’s versatility. Not only was the Brazilian international efficient on both wings, he was even more efficient from the central attacking role, averaging a goal involvement every 2.02 games from that position.

Many fans have often complained about Willian’s output, expecting him to be more prolific. However, he registered 76 Premier League goal involvements with one every 3.02 games over 234 appearances. In comparison, Hazard’s goal contribution is one every 1.68 games and Pedro’s is one every 2.91 games. When you consider that Willian is not placed on the same level as Hazard, those aren’t bad numbers.

Willian’s usefulness to the team went beyond goal involvements though. Over the past five Premier League seasons, Willian has ranked third or better in key passes per game and big chances created for the Blues—except in the 2016/17 league winning season where he ranked fourth for key passes and created no big chances. Willian mainly made substitute appearances and started only 15 Premier League games that whole season, averaging 45 minutes per game.

Other than the 2016/17 anomaly, he has ranked first for key passes per game and second for big chances created (2015/16), third for key passes per game and big chances created (2017/18), second for key passes per game and third for big chances created (2018/19) and first for key passes per game and big chances created (2019/20). This statistic shows that Willian is reliable when called upon to be the main creative outlet. Chelsea will miss the creativity Willian brings to the table. Interestingly, all the players that recorded more key passes per game or big chances than Willian over the past five seasons have left the club, minus N’Golo Kante and Cesar Azpilicueta, who recorded more key passes than him in the 2016/17 season.

Willian was also very good at retaining the ball. Whenever the Brazilian didn’t play, it showed in the way Chelsea played as a whole—particularly last season. Distributing the ball and stretching play were just two constant contributions that the former Shakhtar man made. Willian was arguably Chelsea’s best player last season and he showed that he can step up and lead an attack when he’s required to. It’s not all doom and gloom in the wake of Willian’s departure though. New arrivals show promise and give hope of replacing what Chelsea lost in Willian, and more.

The arrival of Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech brings excitement for many reasons. No one can say what exactly these two would contribute until they play. However, versatility will not be an issue. Werner is a center forward—but he can also play on the right wing if required to—just as Ziyech is a right winger who can also play as the No. 10.

Ziyech is a very creative player recording 3.9 key passes per game (first) in the Eredivisie last season on par with Kevin de Bruyne (first) in the Premier League with 3.9 as well. Willian registered 2.1 (eighth). Ziyech created 23 big chances (first) in 1617 Eredivisie minutes; de Bruyne created 33 big chances (first) in 2800 Premier League minutes and Willian created 12 (sixth).

Ziyech completed 28 percent of his crosses for Ajax last season whereas de Bruyne completed 25 percent of his and Alexander Arnold completed 21 percent. Willian completed 29 percent. Ziyech, de Bruyne, Alexander-Arnold and Willian completed 48, 75, 81 and 51 crosses respectively. The above numbers show that Ziyech should more than able to compensate for the creativity that Chelsea loses in Willian.

Werner will definitely bring goals with him, amongst other things, as well. Werner played 159 games for RB Leipzig and recorded 135 goal involvements, averaging one every 1.18 games. Werner also helps in chance creation, averaging 1.6 key passes per game and creating the most big chances (14) for his team in the Bundesliga last season. In addition to these arrivals, Chelsea is also working hard to bring in more players that would add even more creativity, defensive solidity and goals. Not to mention talent already at the club in Christian Pulisic, Mason Mount and Callum Hudson-Odoi.

Willian was disrespected and overlooked by many fans because of his output—or lack thereof on the statistical front.  Goals and assists aren’t everything though and it’s important to remember and acknowledge the role Willian played in Chelsea’s fortunes. Though he contributed heavily to Chelsea while he was at Stamford Bridge, the club will be just fine without him.