Willian

[Barbara 15,149]

Willian can get past one player, two players, three at an absolute push but I made the point a few pages back he's vital in the SETUP of our team, the WAY we play. He actually reminds me of Hazard (1-2 seasons ago when he lost possession twice that lead to goals, he went into a shell for a few games) in that he is sometimes scared to lose the ball and would rather take the safer option then the risky one, that Hazard takes now, no I am not comparing their abilities or ball retention etc. so don't call me out on that its simply an observation.

Would you risk losing the ball when possession and positional play are so key down the right side? Sod that.

Our biggest weakness believe it or not is the pocket of RB space between Iva/Gary, lump a ball into space there and we've got problems.

~edit~ Not defending that piece of play btw we all know the flick or one touch then pass should of come but just to highlight he isn't the only one and he seems to be a scapegoat. Mark my words or this post, if we invest more money into the RW, which I think we will, then we will have to a) either change our tactics or shape b ) we will concede alot more goals and lose the grip on games.

I personally think that excuse became a myth that conveniently covers Willian's limitations. I agree we need more work rate in our right side because Iva and Cahill are walking liabilities, but that doesn't excuse the stupid things Willian does

He doesn't have vision, his football IQ is very low and that has absolutely nothing to do with the amount of defensive work he does and fearing to lose possession near the corner flag is a ridiculous idea. Maybe in the midfield, yes, it could be dangerous, but look at our second goal against Watford. He's between the box and the sidelines, he doesn't have a clue about what to do with the ball and that's the problem, way too many times when he's in the final third he has no idea of what to do.

Sorry, mate... there are absolutely no excuse for a 27yo player to still do that. The system, they tactics, the responsibilities influence in ZERO percent in his decision making around the box. People say he doesn't attack better because he has a lot of defending to do, but has anyone ever thought maybe he defends so much because he can't influence the attack? Maybe the cause and the consequence are reversed in this equation.

[dee25 1,044]

I personally think that excuse became a myth that conveniently covers Willian's limitations. I agree we need more work rate in our right side because Iva and Cahill are walking liabilities, but that doesn't excuse the stupid things Willian does

He doesn't have vision, his football IQ is very low and that has absolutely nothing to do with the amount of defensive work he does and fearing to lose possession near the corner flag is a ridiculous idea. Maybe in the midfield, yes, it could be dangerous, but look at our second goal against Watford. He's between the box and the sidelines, he doesn't have a clue about what to do with the ball and that's the problem, way too many times when he's in the final third he has no idea of what to do.

Sorry, mate... there are absolutely no excuse for a 27yo player to still do that. The system, they tactics, the responsibilities influence in ZERO percent in his decision making around the box. People say he doesn't attack better because he has a lot of defending to do, but has anyone ever thought maybe he defends so much because he can't influence the attack? Maybe the cause and the consequence are reversed in this equation.

I think the idea that Willian (ala Mikel) doesn't contribute much in attack because he's a safe player that prefers to keep possession is such a myth. If that were the case then he wouldn't have slowed down that counterattack only to attempt a more difficult pass in the end that resulted in lost possession. You're completely right, he slowed down play because he didn't know what to do with the ball. He couldn't think quickly enough so he dawdled with the ball until he made up his mind what he was going to do with it, which unsurprisingly turned out to be the wrong decision. If he were conscious about keeping possession then he would have made a simple pass to Mikel rather than attempting a difficult cross-field pass to Hazard, and that's the thing that frustrates me most about Willian. If he's going to be a player that doesn't contribute in attack, then he needs to make damn well sure that he does his job to high standard but he doesn't imo. He has the 3rd highest turnover rate after Hazard and Costa but he creates one of the fewest number of chances (I know stats don't always tell the full story but come on! 3rd highest turnover rate when you create so little? That's ridiculous).

For all the praise he gets about his defensive work, in the match at WHL Rose scored a crucial goal when the game was in the balance because Willian wasn't tracking him. His ability to keep possession is just as overrated as his defensive contributions. But he does cute little fancy step-overs, so he must be good I guess...

[nyikolajevics 2,422]

Willian a playmaker....

Did you see him in Shakhtar/Anzhi? He is a playmaker, he has always been a playmaker. Mourinho uses him on the right wing but it's just like Azpilicueta on the left side of the defense.

Also, I firmly believe that Willian would play much much better behind the striker. I would love to see this for in a few games:

Fábregas - Matic

Schürrle Willian Hazard

[LAM09 6,547]

Did you see him in Shakhtar/Anzhi? He is a playmaker, he has always been a playmaker. Mourinho uses him on the right wing but it's just like Azpilicueta on the left side of the defense.

Also, I firmly believe that Willian would play much much better behind the striker. I would love to see this for in a few games:

Fábregas - Matic

Schürrle Willian Hazard

Yes, but I wouldn't compare the Russian/Ukrainian league to the EPL.

[nyikolajevics 2,422]

Yes, but I wouldn't compare the Russian/Ukrainian league to the EPL.

We are talking about positions, not the quality of the leagues.

[LAM09 6,547]

We are talking about positions, not the quality of the leagues.

Playmaker means someone who makes chances. How many assists does he have this season?

[nyikolajevics 2,422]

Playmaker means someone who makes chances. How man assists does he have this season?

Only a few, two or three maybe. That's exactly why I think he should play behind the striker, he would be more efficient there.

[LAM09 6,547]

Only a few, two or three maybe. That's exactly why I think he should play behind the striker, he would be more efficient there.

He won't play in that role here. In an ideal world, Cesc should be playing there. No question about it!

[Barbara 15,149]

He won't play in that role here. In an ideal world, Cesc should be playing there. No question about it!

Thank God actually that Willian doesn't play there. I can only imagine the amount of waste opportunities would come from him if he was behind the striker.

He's nearly useless in the final third... I hope when Rami recovers form he comes back the same level he was at the beginning of this season. Never thought I'd say that, but that Ramires >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> any version of Willian.

The key element here though is if Rami actually recovers that form. Because Ramires is the very true definition of Hyde and Jekyll...

[LAM09 6,547]

Thank God actually that Willian doesn't play there. I can only imagine the amount of waste opportunities would come from him if he was behind the striker.

He's nearly useless in the final third... I hope when Rami recovers form he comes back the same level he was at the beginning of this season. Never thought I'd say that, but that Ramires >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> any version of Willian.

The key element here though is if Rami actually recovers that form. Because Ramires is the very true definition of Hyde and Jekyll...

Exactly. It's hard enough watching Willian make the wrong decision during counter attacks, but watching him at the central of all our attacking play would be a nightmare. Ramires on form offers us something we don't have anywhere else in the squad, and is extremely useful on the counter. However, as you said, you don't know what your gonna get with him.

[dmode 113]

I am not the biggest fan of Willian, but he is improving leaps and bounds. Today was a sensational display. His confidence on the final third is growing as well. Chelsea needs a player like Willian, to maintain possession and consistently track back and make those tackles.

[kellzfresh 7,226]

Today was his best ever Chelsea performance after mancity last season.

He dribbled successfully finally!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[illmatic 901]

William and the posts, a story of love better than Twilight .

However, great performance of Willi.

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

I missed the game and I just watched the replay now. How Willian didn't score those chances he had, I will never know.

[Miguelito 459]

I missed the game and I just watched the replay now. How Willian didn't score those chances he had, I will never know.

Yea everyone is saying he was unlucky, but should have scored them both, in particular the second one. I don't think it's just bad luck, it was just bad finishing. I had no confidence in him scoring either to be honest.

He did have a good overall performance today though.

[Henrique 9,133]

Someone showed me this aspect that he needs to improve and I agree.

Has to try to dribble the guy with that much space behind, or pass the ball quickly. Make a fast decision instead of delaying and slowing our play drastically, giving the defense time to organize.

To be honest its not a aspect of his game. Its was an aspect in this specific match.

Today the 2nd goal game after a quick touch to Oscar. 4th goal game after he speeded up the game, and don't say it was a different Willian today. This is how he is.

He doesn't score too much goals or give the final assist, that why you will hear complains about his game coming from people with "low football IQ".

[DYC. 7,542]

To be honest its not a aspect of his game. Its was an aspect in this specific match.

Today the 2nd goal game after a quick touch to Oscar. 4th goal game after he speeded up the game, and don't say it was a different Willian today. This is how he is.

He doesn't score too much goals or give the final assist, that why you will hear complains about his game coming from people with "low football IQ".

Thank God we have you to tell us otherwise.

[The Chels 2,502]

To be honest its not a aspect of his game. Its was an aspect in this specific match.

Today the 2nd goal game after a quick touch to Oscar. 4th goal game after he speeded up the game, and don't say it was a different Willian today. This is how he is.

He doesn't score too much goals or give the final assist, that why you will hear complains about his game coming from people with "low football IQ".

Willian's one-touch play is generally very good, probably because he doesn't have time to think.

Towards the start of the second half today Willian had the ball on a counter attack and he was in a good position running down the right wing. Men were arriving in the box unmarked and he had several good options available to him but he hit it out for a corner. That's typical Willian. He had a good game today and was unlucky not to score but you can see evidence of his poor decision making (low football IQ) in pretty much every game.