🇧🇷 Willian

[zolayes 14,489]

only watched the first half ,, Brazil were totally outplayed ,, NO IDEA why Willian is getting held responsible . Messi would have been poor in the Brazil side .

[Kieran. 6,317]

Willian is overrated? [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23] absolute clowns troll this forum. [emoji23]

[DYC. 7,542]

What did anyone expect, really? When the team is not playing well or struggling, you don't look at the likes of Willian to turn up and (try to) win you the game. He does not possess that ability, he's supporting cast. Chelsea have Cesc, Eden and Diego as star men, players that make the difference. Neymar is the only top attacking player Brazil have, but he won't be able to perform every single time. That's impossible. At least play Coutinho, a player capable of producing high quality play (at times).

[Gilvorak 3,734]

What did anyone expect, really? When the team is not playing well or struggling, you don't look at the likes of Willian to turn up and (try to) win you the game. He does not possess that ability, he's supporting cast. Chelsea have Cesc, Eden and Diego as star men, players that make the difference. Neymar is the only top attacking player Brazil have, but he won't be able to perform every single time. That's impossible. At least play Coutinho, a player capable of producing high quality play (at times).

Coutinho would be a starter but he got injured in training just before the tournament started. They're struggling massively to build attacks and control games without Oscar that much is certain so Coutinho deserves a shot next game, there isn't a better alternative in that squad.

[Gilvorak 3,734]

Imagine taking the "GOAT" post at face value . It's definitely not like people haven't been using that slang tongue in cheek for ages now.

I love reading player threads when the player loses

Trust me I don't flip flop on opinions unless the player actually improves. I've always maintained my stance even through his "immense" 2nd half of the season in which he amassed an incredible 2 goals & 3 assists in 25 matches.

[WNDS 502]

Massively overrated player. Wouldn't be surprised if Douglas Costa takes his spot. The balance & workrate excuses won't work at International level.

It was no coincidence that Willian gave his worst performance for Brazil under Dunga when he had seemingly been instructed to remain wide on the right, and so been denied the freedom he is usually given to influence Brazil's general possession play. We know from his performances at Chelsea that he is rarely influential in attack if he is deployed in this way, so it should come as no surprise that this is also the case when he is playing with Brazil.

He WAS very poor against Colombia, but it says everything about how terrible Brazil were that he was actually the 'best' (or 'least outright bad') of the four players who were selected to start in the attacking positions; Fred was (somehow) EVEN MORE of a non-entity than Willian was, and seemed to be having a competition with Firmino and Neymar to see who could lose the ball the most per minutes on the pitch, Firmino missed an almost-open goal and did nothing else of note for the rest of the game, whilst Neymar refused to pass the ball to team-mates time and time again in favour of dribbling into oncoming tackles.

Fred MUST be dropped from the starting 11, and Douglas Costa deserves to start (along with Coutinho). With Neymar suspended, Willian might as well play on the left behind whichever of Tardelli or Firmino impresses more in training over the next few sessions (neither has done enough in the two matches already played to merit starting). When Neymar returns, whichever of Willian, Douglas Costa, and Coutinho impresses the least against Venezuela should be dropped to accommodate him. Simple.

[DYC. 7,542]

Coutinho would be a starter but he got injured in training just before the tournament started. They're struggling massively to build attacks and control games without Oscar that much is certain so Coutinho deserves a shot next game, there isn't a better alternative in that squad.

That's true, but I think he should have started anyway. He was fit to play against Colombia, but I guess Dunga still believed in his original midfield set-up. He made a comment about Fred possibly starting before the tournament, so I'm not so sure Coutinho would've been a starter if not for his injury. I'd always play Coutinho because he's the only creative player they have besides Neymar.

I'd really like to see Willian in midfield, even at Chelsea. I've always wondered why he's never been tried there. With his ability to retain the ball under pressure, his ability to cary the ball, solid passing (at times he's displayed fantastic range in passing) and his ability to switch play, you'd think he'd be well suited to play in midfield. Not to mention his fantastic ball control. He does not take many risks, so that's no problem in midfield, in terms of losing the ball. He might even grow as a player there, with that extra bit of time and space on the ball in deeper positions. Defensively, he has the required energy and work rate, and good upper body strength for physical tussles, with his pace an added bonus. Not the tallest player but the likes of Fabregas and Ramires aren't that much bigger than him, and I'd say he beats both of them strength wise. The only question would be whether he has the vision, but more importantly, the required tactical awareness to play there, but I have a feeling he does. Or better said, he has the potential and willingness to learn in order to master the role.

And it's not like you can say his ability to score or set up goals would be wasted in midfield.

[Clockwork 1,794]

That's true, but I think he should have started anyway. He was fit to play against Colombia, but I guess Dunga still believed in his original midfield set-up. He made a comment about Fred possibly starting before the tournament, so I'm not so sure Coutinho would've been a starter if not for his injury. I'd always play Coutinho because he's the only creative player they besides Neymar.

I'd really like to see Willian in midfield, even at Chelsea. I've always wondered he's never been tried there. With his ability to retain the ball under pressure, his ability to cary the ball, solid passing (at times he's displayed fantastic range in passing) and his ability to switch play, you'd think he'd be well suited to play in midfield. Not to mention his fantastic ball control. He does not take many risks, so that's no problem in midfield, in terms of losing the ball. He might even grow as a player there, with that extra bit of time and space on the ball in deeper positions. Defensively, he has the required energy and work rate, and good upper body strength for physical tussles, with his pace an added bonus. Not the tallest player but the likes of Fabregas and Ramires aren't that much bigger than him, and I'd say he beats both of them strength wise. The only question would be whether he has the vision, but more importantly, the required tactical awareness to play there, but I have a feeling he does. Or better said, he has the potential and willingness to learn in order to master the role.

And it's not like you can say his ability to score or set up goals would be wasted in midfield.

Agreed i always wondered why he has never been given a similar role like Angel Di Maria has with Argentina and his last season under Carlo.

[Barbara 15,149]

Agreed i always wondered why he has never been given a similar role like Angel Di Maria has with Argentina and his last season under Carlo.

Because in that position we have Cesc and Cesc >>>>>>>>>>>> Willian in anything that isn't physical related.

[Clockwork 1,794]

Because in that position we have Cesc and Cesc >>>>>>>>>>>> Willian in anything that isn't physical related.

Not this season only, but throughout his career.

[LAM09 7,052]

The usual Willian appeared last night.

[nadavTKL 1,787]

Because in that position we have Cesc and Cesc >>>>>>>>>>>> Willian in anything that isn't physical related.

Agreed i always wondered why he has never been given a similar role like Angel Di Maria has with Argentina and his last season under Carlo.

hmm... what? both posts kind a got me confused.

Di Maria last season played the attacking midfielder role in a 3-men midfield, similar to our #10.

Cesc played most games next to Matic in the pivot. And in the 2nd half of the season Willian was given the #10 role when Oscar was benched/injured.

[Barbara 15,149]

hmm... what? both posts kind a got me confused.

Di Maria last season played the attacking midfielder role in a 3-men midfield, similar to our #10.

Cesc played most games next to Matic in the pivot. And in the 2nd half of the season Willian was given the #10 role when Oscar was benched/injured.

It's a known fact di Maria played in midfield in Carlo's first season, not as winger or AM

[Clockwork 1,794]

hmm... what? both posts kind a got me confused.

Di Maria last season played the attacking midfielder role in a 3-men midfield, similar to our #10.

Cesc played most games next to Matic in the pivot. And in the 2nd half of the season Willian was given the #10 role when Oscar was benched/injured.

I didn't watch ADM at United that much this season, then again he was awfully used by LVG.

For Argentina ADM played a lot in the pivot alongside Mascherano. Carlo played ADM in a 3 man midfield in his 4-3-3 setup.

[nadavTKL 1,787]

It's a known fact di Maria played in midfield in Carlo's first season, not as winger or AM

Di Maria played for Carlo when Modric and Alonso sitting behind him, so he was the more attacking-minded, advanced midfielder in a 3-men midfield. Like Iniesta in Barcelona with Xavi-Busquets.

But anyway, Cesc playes a different role here. At least this season he played in the pivot in about 80% of the games. The players who played the more similar role to Di Maria's are Oscar/Willian, if Mourinho want he can use them more in central midfield, so it will be like 'Di Maria's role'.

[Oscar 441]

Dunga has a lot of choices for attacking mids in the future if Willian or anyone else doesn't pan out.

[Oscar 441]

Perfect opportunity for Willian to lead Brazil now with Neymar suspended.

Firmio

Willian-Coutinho-Anderson

[LAM09 7,052]

Perfect opportunity for Willian to lead Brazil now with Neymar suspended.

Firmio

Willian-Coutinho-Anderson

I'm sure Tardelli will be starting instead.

[communicate 2,703]

Di Maria played for Carlo when Modric and Alonso sitting behind him, so he was the more attacking-minded, advanced midfielder in a 3-men midfield. Like Iniesta in Barcelona with Xavi-Busquets.

But anyway, Cesc playes a different role here. At least this season he played in the pivot in about 80% of the games. The players who played the more similar role to Di Maria's are Oscar/Willian, if Mourinho want he can use them more in central midfield, so it will be like 'Di Maria's role'.

I am not so sure about Willian in adm role. Carlo used him as left midfielders, basically he provided all the running to cover that side of the field to cover ronaldo and also to provide width. Ramires is probably the better player to play in such position.

[termninja 5,290]

Wasted on RW at Brazil when they don't have a normal striker. Firmino is a clown...I hope they stick him in AM with Neymar out and ask him to be more direct.