🇧🇷 Willian

[LAB 1,030]

Willian played well. 1st half offered the usual defensive stuff and 2nd half he completed his performance by contributing offensively. He has clearly stepped up lately and it shows. His passing is directed with more intend and he thinks and reacts more quickly than before. I like his work currently (always liked it tbh, but now more than ever) and imo if he stays consistent with what he is doing now it's going to be a really good scenario to go and grab someone like Reus to complete our trio for our strongest line up instead of sticking with Oscar as primary no10.

Hazard - Willian - Reus would look very good for example.

[Vybz Kartel 1,613]

I hope we can upgrade on him and let him go because its clear his not good enough to warranty a continued starting place. Guys like Damian Duff were less talented but had the heart and desire which seems like guys like Willian dont have. Yes a couple of good games here and there is not good enough on the overall considering his price tag and what we can get for considerably less.

[Spike 12,049]

Not a fan. He runs fast and works hard (heh, seems to be recurring theme in this squad) but then does a nice and tidy backpass to the fullback. That effectively kills momentum.

[nono 791]

Not a fan. He runs fast and works hard (heh, seems to be recurring theme in this squad) but then does a nice and tidy backpass to the fullback. That effectively kills momentum.

Mourinho likes this sort of player in midfield, who is athletic even though he has little footballing ability. That's how players like Kalou, Ramires, Mikel and Willian get to stick around so long.

[Jase 43,479]

Mourinho likes this sort of player in midfield, who is athletic even though he has little footballing ability. That's how players like Kalou, Ramires, Mikel and Willian get to stick around so long.

To be fair, Kalou had a knack of scoring goals for us and sometimes important ones too. Same goes for Ramires, at least 2-3 years ago. Still more than what Willian has provided in terms of finding the back of the net.

[Henrique 9,133]

I'm done with Willian. Its really sad, because in his first game he scored that superb goal.

He is a player that is afraid to take responsibilities, he is afraid of scoring goals, he is afraid of trying to be the protagonist. He is everything Luiz was not. Luiz was a player that was never afraid of making mistakes. Something that Mourinho wound tolerate coming from a CB. Willian to other is a player that never take risks. A typical Willian display: he receives the ball, then an opponent start to mark him, he retains the ball, he pretends do dribble, retains the ball, pretends to dribble again...then end up making a short pass to the closest player.

His attitude when he is not will the ball is also a shame. He just hides behind defenders. The fact that Mourinho loves an attacking player that is afraid to attack speaks loud about the teams current form.

[Johnny Kills 164]

I'm done with Willian. Its really sad, because in his first game he scored that superb goal.

He is a player that is afraid to take responsibilities, he is afraid of scoring goals, he is afraid of trying to be the protagonist. He is everything Luiz was not. Luiz was a player that was never afraid of making mistakes. Something that Mourinho wound tolerate coming from a CB. Willian to other is a player that never take risks. A typical Willian display: he receives the ball, then an opponent start to mark him, he retains the ball, he pretends do dribble, retains the ball, pretends to dribble again...then end up making a short pass to the closest player.

His attitude when he is not will the ball is also a shame. He just hides behind defenders. The fact that Mourinho loves an attacking player that is afraid to attack speaks loud about the teams current form.

I came here to post the same exact thing. If anyone has the game downloaded/recorded and can watch it again. Please watch TWO MINUTES INTO EXTRA TIME. Willian picks the ball up in PSG's half, he has Fabregas (who's about 30 yards away from goal) about 10 yards in front of him and Fab is surrounded by no one. All Willian has to do is play it into him and Fabregas is turning and attacking the defense with Costa and possibly Hazard as runners. WTF DOES WILLIAN DO?! He holds onto it, hesitates, waits for Ivanovic's run and dinks it over to the right flank and totally ignores the chance to take advantage of the space behind their midfielders - the ideal situation for Fabregas (who proved in the West Ham game that he could suck for the whole game and the second he gets space he can change the game). If he continues to get games over Cuadrado than this is going to be just as baffling as the KDB and Mata situations for me.

[Sheva. 5,373]

I'm done with Willian. Its really sad, because in his first game he scored that superb goal.

He is a player that is afraid to take responsibilities, he is afraid of scoring goals, he is afraid of trying to be the protagonist. He is everything Luiz was not. Luiz was a player that was never afraid of making mistakes. Something that Mourinho wound tolerate coming from a CB. Willian to other is a player that never take risks. A typical Willian display: he receives the ball, then an opponent start to mark him, he retains the ball, he pretends do dribble, retains the ball, pretends to dribble again...then end up making a short pass to the closest player.

His attitude when he is not will the ball is also a shame. He just hides behind defenders. The fact that Mourinho loves an attacking player that is afraid to attack speaks loud about the teams current form.

No one can describe him better than this. I'm just bored of him now.

[Milan 17,958]

Even though it might be bs, I wish it was true and even Mou was finally sick of this player who seems to shit in his pants everytime he is on the pitch.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

https://twitter.com/mattspiro/status/576300673530261504

Even though it might be bs, I wish it was true and even Mou was finally sick of this player who seems to shit in his pants everytime he is on the pitch.

Lol

Wish willian could be more ambitious with the ability he has

[stroey 2,525]

I have a lot of respect for him and admire him.
He's not a natural RW which many people forgets, he was a 10/LW at Shakthar.

But he put away his pride and converted himself into a hard working maniac on the right side, he sacrifices himself for the team.
Cech said this:''I never thought I would see anyone running more than Ramires, but then I saw Willian.''

He's like KDB, Mata, Schurrle, played out of position on the RW, but he is the only one who survived this.
Salah and KDB didn't get fair chances though.

I agree with many of you, I'd love him to take more risks if he keeps playing at the RW but we can't blame him that he doesn't have the skill-set of a traditional winger.

If you want to get the best out of him, attacking wise, he should play behind the striker as a 10. He's done this last season vs City + Stoke, and this season vs Everton and played very well. But Mou might need to drop Ivanovic if he does this, or play Ramires on the RW.

[termninja 5,290]

I would love to see him have a go as a n10 with Cuadrado on the right wing. Agree both with, Henrique and stroey. Willian simply isn't a player for our right wing.,but boy I've gotten bored of his jiggle left jiggle right, pass to the nearest player...

[CurlyHairLikeLuiz 1,625]

I would love to see him have a go as a n10 with Cuadrado on the right wing. Agree both with, Henrique and stroey. Willian simply isn't a player for our right wing.,but boy I've gotten bored of his jiggle left jiggle right, pass to the nearest player...

Should happen, Oscar has clearly run out of steam and needs a holiday to refresh him or an otherwise extended period away from the team.

[Blue-in-me-Veins 4,067]

Here's a question, whose the best hide and seek player in our team, Oscar or Willian?

*Hint, its a trick question*

[DYC. 7,542]

Here's a question, whose the best hide and seek player in our team, Oscar or Willian?

*Hint, its a trick question*

6 point lead, game in hand. Balance.

[Styles 9,790]

I have a lot of respect for him and admire him.

He's not a natural RW which many people forgets, he was a 10/LW at Shakthar.

But he put away his pride and converted himself into a hard working maniac on the right side, he sacrifices himself for the team.

Cech said this:''I never thought I would see anyone running more than Ramires, but then I saw Willian.''

He's like KDB, Mata, Schurrle, played out of position on the RW, but he is the only one who survived this.

Salah and KDB didn't get fair chances though.

I agree with many of you, I'd love him to take more risks if he keeps playing at the RW but we can't blame him that he doesn't have the skill-set of a traditional winger.

If you want to get the best out of him, attacking wise, he should play behind the striker as a 10. He's done this last season vs City + Stoke, and this season vs Everton and played very well. But Mou might need to drop Ivanovic if he does this, or play Ramires on the RW.

Willian has sacrificed his game and is doing what the manager wants...which is why he is in the team. Mourinho wants this.

So don't blame the player - blame the guy who has a RB playing as an auxiliary striker and a RW playing as a defender.

[WNDS 502]

Until Willian is given a proper run of games in one of his two 'natural' positions (LM/CAM) I'm going to refrain from passing judgement on him. He must have started only around 10 games for us in either position, whilst remaining a guaranteed starter at RM simply because he often prevents Ivanovic from being utterly exposed at RB. Everything about how he plays the RM role when in possession and attacking indicates that he has little clue what to do there (much like Azpi when he's 'attacking' from left full-back), and he's obviously not going to improve any time soon. We cannot get away with carrying two 'attacking players' (Oscar and Willian) who are frequently complete passengers when we try to.... well.... attack. Oscar is a particular disappointment, as he's failing to deliver despite already playing in his favoured position.

[Oscar 441]

Willian has sacrificed his game and is doing what the manager wants...which is why he is in the team. Mourinho wants this.

So don't blame the player - blame the guy who has a RB playing as an auxiliary striker and a RW playing as a defender.

The right side kept getting attacked all day.

And how is it that willian sacrificed his game, yet, Oscar didn't for what Jose wanted...

[Laugh1ngMan 393]

Until Willian is given a proper run of games in one of his two 'natural' positions (LM/CAM) I'm going to refrain from passing judgement on him. He must have started only around 10 games for us in either position, whilst remaining a guaranteed starter at RM simply because he often prevents Ivanovic from being utterly exposed at RB. Everything about how he plays the RM role when in possession and attacking indicates that he has little clue what to do there (much like Azpi when he's 'attacking' from left full-back), and he's obviously not going to improve any time soon. We cannot get away with carrying two 'attacking players' (Oscar and Willian) who are frequently complete passengers when we try to.... well.... attack. Oscar is a particular disappointment, as he's failing to deliver despite already playing in his favoured position.

It won't make a difference. He just doesn't do anything that can lead to an assist or goal.

He always goes for the easy pass

He never dribbles past an opponent

He doesnt make runs of the ball behind the opponents

And his killer instinct is non existent

How on earth do you ever gonna get assists/goals on a regular basis if you don't do any of that.

Also, it's time to get rid of the myth he needs to play on the right to cover for Iva. He provided very little cover for him today and in fact that right side has been exposed badly plenty of times already with him in the team. And it's not like he is actual any good defensively. Sure, he makes certain he runs back but that is about it.

The right side problem should be resolved by the rightback, the right centre back and the right pivot player, not a RW. We need at least one player there who actual wants to make tackles and win the ball on that side but neither Iva, Cahill or Cesc do that hence why opponents have so much joy running with the ball there

[WNDS 502]

It won't make a difference. He just doesn't do anything that can lead to an assist or goal.

He always goes for the easy pass

He never dribbles past an opponent

He doesnt make runs of the ball behind the opponents

And his killer instinct is non existent

How on earth do you ever gonna get assists/goals on a regular basis if you don't do any of that.

Also, it's time to get rid of the myth he needs to play on the right to cover for Iva. He provided very little cover for him today and in fact that right side has been exposed badly plenty of times already with him in the team. And it's not like he is actual any good defensively. Sure, he makes certain he runs back but that is about it.

The right side problem should be resolved by the rightback, the right centre back and the right pivot player, not a RW. We need at least one player there who actual wants to make tackles and win the ball on that side but neither Iva, Cahill or Cesc do that hence why opponents have so much joy running with the ball there

Willian undeniably lacks a killer instinct, and he's not going to develop one anytime soon (unfortunately) even IF he is played through the centre. Having said this, however, I find it rather strange that you appear to think that there is no genuine potential for improvement in his attacking performances if he's played in his natural positions. If he's playing through the centre or on the left (being a right-footer) he will have more opportunity to take shots from good positions, more opportunity to play quick passes, more opportunity to dribble infield etc.. Basically, he can be more involved in the play than he currently tends to be whilst also being given the chance to play his game in a way that should come more naturally to him. No doubt he will continue to make (more than) his fair share of poor decisions when in the final third, but he will also be in positions to allow the good decisions/key actions he IS capable of making to pay off in a meaningful way much more frequently.

Look at De Bruyne's time with us; Mourinho insisted upon playing him out of position on the right, wasn't impressed by his performances there, benched him (pissing the player off), and then sold him. Now De Bruyne is playing in his natural CAM position at Wolfsburg and is putting in magnificent performances for them on a consistent basis. Willian will almost certainly NOT play as well as De Bruyne is currently doing at Wolfsburg in the no.10 role, but he could end up being an 'in-house' improvement over Oscar in that position for us; until he's given a run of games there, we can't know. It's ridiculous to pass judgment upon players who have rarely been given a chance to prove their full worth (or lack thereof) in their proper position(s).

Your claim that Willian isn't actually any good defensively really doesn't hold up either; defending is about far more than merely making tackles, particularly when the player in question is an attacking player. Whilst he may not be great at tackling, Willian is excellent at pressing from the front, tracking off-the-ball runs of opponents, and blocking passing lanes. He often does an enormous amount of defensive work for the team on the right side of the pitch, and the fact that it is still so vulnerable despite his efforts says far more about Ivanovic's current defensive inadequacies than it does about Willian's.