Captain Ahmed 528 Posted June 4, 2016 Share Posted June 4, 2016 CopaAmerica-Willian Quote Welcome to #CopaRank, a weeklong look at the top 25 players we expect to see at the Copa America Centenario. Over 50 ESPN FC experts and writers from around the globe voted, and we're rolling out the results right up to opening day, U.S. vs. Colombia, on Friday. Why is Willian in the top 25? Willian was a bright spot in an otherwise disastrous season for Chelsea. The Brazilian attacker was the most consistent player on the attacking end for the Blues, showing off his talents to the tune of five goals and four assists in 35 appearances. Energetic and willing, the Brazilian made a habit of scoring goals from free kicks. With the ball at his feet in open play, Willian's game is built on a remarkable explosiveness paired with strong technical skills. That means he leaves a lot of defenders grasping for air as he blows by on his way to goal. What the experts say about Willian: This year, in a difficult year (for Chelsea), he has been working very hard with his natural ability. When they defend and sacrifice themselves, he has the attitude to do so. That's why he is already, and can be in the future, a key player for this club." - Former Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink. "He is gifted with talent, his feet are like hands! He can do anything with his feet so it is nice to see him play. He does whatever you want him to do. Normally a player has the tendency to stick with his talents but what I know -- not just here but in other work I've done with him -- is he is open to work on other things." - Hiddink Career highlight: Willian made 36 appearances, scoring twice and providing three assists in Chelsea's Premier League title-winning year of 2014-15. The Brazilian was a favorite of former manager Jose Mourinho, who valued not only Willian's attacking abilities, but his workrate, industry, and defensive contribution. The title season was Willian's best by a wide margin after making the move to Chelsea from Russian side Anzhi. Stat of the season: Willian was responsible for four of the 12 total free kick goals in the Champions League this season. What next for Willian after the Copa America Centenario? Even as the engines warm up for the Copa America tournament, Willian's name is being bandied about as a possible target of some big name clubs across Europe. The latest is a rumor that Manchester United could come in for the Brazilian, presumably because new boss Jose Mourinho would very much enjoy a reunion with the winger. espnfc.com  Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
It's too big 625 Posted June 4, 2016 Share Posted June 4, 2016 If he could add double the goals and assists to his game, he would be up there with the best of em. He has very good technical ability. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfcs most wanted 657 Posted June 4, 2016 Share Posted June 4, 2016 He has a great defensive side, he can easily partner with Kennedy to give us a good defensive plus attacking left wing (Hazard can play on the right with Azpi). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelsea4 1,521 Posted June 6, 2016 Share Posted June 6, 2016 Antonio Conte: "In Neymar absence Willian is the reference of Brazilian football. His progress has been incredible." Â Stats, kellzfresh and Blue_Fox_ 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Ahmed 528 Posted June 6, 2016 Share Posted June 6, 2016 Ecuador vs Brazil -Willian  Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfcs most wanted 657 Posted June 6, 2016 Share Posted June 6, 2016 People are again on with that weight thing. Get a life people!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gilvorak 3,734 Posted June 13, 2016 Share Posted June 13, 2016 Exposed at the Copa. Toothless player. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strike 7,489 Posted June 13, 2016 Share Posted June 13, 2016 Out of Copa America. Take rest Willian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Despiadado.Maleante 1,046 Posted June 13, 2016 Share Posted June 13, 2016 Hope his just a squad player next year... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stats 7,142 Posted June 13, 2016 Share Posted June 13, 2016 1 hour ago, Gilvorak said: Exposed at the Copa. Toothless player. I know. Oscar should have been called up to the squad and his magic would have got Brazil through. How could Brazil leave a future Ballon D'or contender out the squad right? Blue-in-me-Veins, MefiX19, Kieran. and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kellzfresh 7,229 Posted June 13, 2016 Share Posted June 13, 2016 Wow, I just realized that Brazil has been knocked out in the group stage I guess Neymar was practically carrying the team of average players Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special Juan 28,141 Posted June 13, 2016 Share Posted June 13, 2016 I mean people keep making 4 years of excuses up for Oscar so let's make something up for Willian.....Maybe he was tired after more or less carrying a team full absolute shite all season eh!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superblue 6,372 Posted June 13, 2016 Share Posted June 13, 2016 This Oscar/Willian stuff is such bollocks! I can understand the argument that Oscar has more upside than Willian. I think he's a technically better player, I just don't think his game is fully suited to English football. I think he would thrive in a slightly slower, more tactical league. Willian's strengths of pace, work rate, directness though perfectly suit English football, which is why I think he is definitely the better fit for Chelsea. That doesn't necessarily mean he's the better player. Can't we all just fucking move on though... Â Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FabHazard 655 Posted June 13, 2016 Share Posted June 13, 2016 5 hours ago, Stats said: I know. Oscar should have been called up to the squad and his magic would have got Brazil through. How could Brazil leave a future Ballon D'or contender out the squad right? Oscar is atleast better than lucas lima ...Fucking joke he gets to play over oscar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WNDS 502 Posted June 13, 2016 Share Posted June 13, 2016 10 hours ago, Gilvorak said: Exposed at the Copa. Toothless player. Totally. It's not as if he has 2 goals and 3 assists in 6 games in World Cup Qualification against these same teams. He also played fairly well in the first two games of this tournament. Against Peru, he could have done a bit more if Dani Alves actually, you know, bothered passing to him; the only occasions when he received the ball from Alves were when Alves literally had no other choice. Blue_Fox_, MefiX19 and Stats 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaKstone 307 Posted June 13, 2016 Share Posted June 13, 2016 5 hours ago, WNDS said: Totally. It's not as if he has 2 goals and 3 assists in 6 games in World Cup Qualification against these same teams. He also played fairly well in the first two games of this tournament. Against Peru, he could have done a bit more if Dani Alves actually, you know, bothered passing to him; the only occasions when he received the ball from Alves were when Alves literally had no other choice. Implying he would have even scored if Dani Alves passed to him. He can't even assist or score against Haiti. It still baffles me when some say this guy carried us last season. Lol Squad player should be the maximum next season but we all know he will be a starter.. Blue-in-me-Veins 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmk108 1,186 Posted June 13, 2016 Share Posted June 13, 2016 9 hours ago, kellzfresh said: Wow, I just realized that Brazil has been knocked out in the group stage I guess Neymar was practically carrying the team of average players Brazil left a total of 6 players out of the squad. It was far from their strongest lineup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jase 43,479 Posted June 13, 2016 Share Posted June 13, 2016 3 minutes ago, kmk108 said: Brazil left a total of 6 players out of the squad. It was far from their strongest lineup. Hardly a reason to get KOed from a group that contained Peru, Haiti and Ecuador. kellzfresh, kmk108 and King11Didier 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kellzfresh 7,229 Posted June 13, 2016 Share Posted June 13, 2016 4 minutes ago, kmk108 said: Brazil left a total of 6 players out of the squad. It was far from their strongest lineup. But still Peru and Haiti should be easily beaten by Brazils second team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmk108 1,186 Posted June 13, 2016 Share Posted June 13, 2016 54 minutes ago, Jason said: Hardly a reason to get KOed from a group that contained Peru, Haiti and Ecuador. Completely agree. I was just saying that Neymar isn't the only one the team is missing. 52 minutes ago, kellzfresh said: But still Peru and Haiti should be easily beaten by Brazils second team. Haiti were beaten 7-1. They should have beaten Peru but they didn't need to and we're really eliminated by a Terrie handball no-call. That doesn't take away from the fact that they disappointed in the Ecuador and Peru games. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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