Willian

[killer1257 3,282]

Now Willian's decision making problem is of a different nature imo and I feel bad for saying it so bluntly, but he's just not a clever person (or player as I don't know him personally, but judging by his interviews even in portuguese you can say he's far from the brightest kid in the class, very far).

I do not think that education has something to do with intelligence.Also,you have to look very carefully if you want to find an educated footballer,especially in countries like brazil where the education standard isn´t that good(according to the media).

[Barbara 15,149]

I do not think that education has something to do with intelligence.Also,you have to look very carefully if you want to find an educated footballer,especially in countries like brazil where the education standard isn´t that good(according to the media).

I never mentioned education though. Being a teacher myself I know well the difference between both. He shows nice knowledge of the language, doesn't struggle with grammar, and bla bla bla you could think about education. He seems to have caught up with the education aspect of it and he's learning English quite well imo.

I'm talking basically about his inability of articulating his thoughts. If you read his interviews it's a repetition of something very superficial, time after time. This has nothing to do with his education. we have Neymar, for example, or David Luiz, both Brazilians, who can articulate their thoughts very well and talk things that go beyond the basic acknowledge of the subject. Articulating your thinking can be catalyzed by good education, but it's something about you, very little influenced by your upbringing.

Have you ever met a person that was difficult to have a deep conversation about a subject with them? Willian seems like that = but again, I've mentioned I don't know him personally, so I can't say for real, but based on his interviews, he isn't very bright.

edit: but the fact he may not be that clever, and still plays here and was wished by many, shows his quality in other things - and maybe even in managing his career and other stuff. Multiple intelligences is a very nice theory I like, so his major intelligences are probably somewhere else. I also like him a lot as a player, it just frustrates me that if he had a slight better end product he could be brilliant.

[oman43 45]

I thought Willian was one of our most consistent players last season. That was consistently adequate. I really like Willian, he's one of my favourite players, mainly because of his engine (similar to Rammy). MrBlueGuy got it spot on though - Willian stats have suffered because of his dedication to the team - something Hazard gets away with because he's Hazard. He is vital to the team too as he can play both centrally and on the right, something Oscar isn't blessed with. Plus JM and any right back loves him, and quite rightly.

[The Chels 2,502]

Now Willian's decision making problem is of a different nature imo and I feel bad for saying it so bluntly, but he's just not a clever person (or player as I don't know him personally, but judging by his interviews even in portuguese you can say he's far from the brightest kid in the class, very far). If the guy doesn't think, he doesn't execute, simple.

Rooney, like many footballers, is the same. In interviews you can tell he's not the sharpest tool in the shed but he does have a 'footballing brain' so I'd say general intelligence and footballing intelligence are very different. I don't know if Willian lacks the footballing brain or if he's just not confident enough to take the riskier option (be it a through ball, shot, etc.).

- Willian stats have suffered because of his dedication to the team - something Hazard gets away with because he's Hazard.

His statistics have been poor throughout his career though.

Edited August 6, 2014 by LeChels_

[romeeh 139]

I agree the problem is his decision making,but that's not the main mistake he does imo. Comparatively, Hazard makes that mistake you mentioned much more than Willian does, especially when he isn't playing his best yet yet. Last season I was pulling my hair when Hazard was dribbling everybody and their mother in OUR half. That's not where you do that, and many times he lost possession in the second third, offering a counter to opposition. Then he started playing better and that was much less noticeable and prominent. And we don't need to say for the 3495874th time that Eden has bad decision making about shooting on the goal. He just doesn't do it as much as he should.

Now Willian's decision making problem is of a different nature imo and I feel bad for saying it so bluntly, but he's just not a clever person (or player as I don't know him personally, but judging by his interviews even in portuguese you can say he's far from the brightest kid in the class, very far). If the guy doesn't think, he doesn't execute, simple. Also he lacks some directness. He's all flair and technique and that's cute and dandy and it makes vids such as the one on the previous page mouthwatering. But he rarely does something out of it. He dribbles, he has such a class touching the ball, flawless ball control and first touch, but as he isn't direct or clever, well, the result is what we see.

Said all that, I think he will improve this season simply because one more season makes a lot of difference for players coming from a different league to the EPL. The first season can be tough, but normally the second is when they settle and grow. That's likely to be the case with him, but I wouldn't hold too high expectations because of those two limitations I've mentioned. While Mou can help him directness (someone like Cesc too), the cleverness part is there for good imo.

exactly like i said before willian looks so good when play so hard working run here and there but on papers u will find him with poor end products 4 goals and 6 assist in 46 matches...u look to the video u feel he should be the team scorer

[Barbara 15,149]

Rooney is the same in interviews but he has a footballing brain, so I'd say general intelligence and footballing intelligence are very different. I don't know if Willian lacks a footballing brain or if he's just not confident enough to play the 'riskier' ball.

absolutely which is why I mentioned multiple intelligences in the second post. I think Willian's main problem is not thinking per say. He may even be able to think smart things, but it seems he doesn't take the time to actually think deeper about it, you know? I don't know how to describe, but he seems to struggle to get things deeper and so when he does the most difficult (because he has the most difficult imo - but than again that based in my own set of intelligences, I'm terrible with motor coordination and manual things in general, I can barely draw a stick person) he doesn't deliver it because it feels like he didn't think through everything he was going to do. I don't know, I'm struggling to find the words in English (HA!) - I feel like he goes through the first stages of thinking what he's going to do, but he doesn't think the whole thing through and then he does the first thing that crosses his mind or acts on instinct (which can be good, if one has good instincts).

[oman43 45]

His statistics have been poor throughout his career though.

Yes, because of his playing style. The point being is that there is potential for change in the balance of his work rate if the team organisation allows for it. Its simple, if he is in the opposition half more and not tracking back with such dedication , then his stats would be better. I appreciate his tracking back last season was required but hopefully season it will be required less.

[The Chels 2,502]

absolutely which is why I mentioned multiple intelligences in the second post. I think Willian's main problem is not thinking per say. He may even be able to think smart things, but it seems he doesn't take the time to actually think deeper about it, you know? I don't know how to describe, but he seems to struggle to get things deeper and so when he does the most difficult (because he has the most difficult imo - but than again that based in my own set of intelligences, I'm terrible with motor coordination and manual things in general, I can barely draw a stick person) he doesn't deliver it because it feels like he didn't think through everything he was going to do. I don't know, I'm struggling to find the words in English (HA!) - I feel like he goes through the first stages of thinking what he's going to do, but he doesn't think the whole thing through and then he does the first thing that crosses his mind or acts on instinct (which can be good, if one has good instincts).

How about 'he's not a deep thinker'?

Yes, because of his playing style. The point being is that there is potential for change in the balance of his work rate if the team organisation allows for it. Its simple, if he is in the opposition half more and not tracking back with such dedication , then his stats would be better. I appreciate his tracking back last season was required but hopefully season it will be required less.

If he couldn't get decent stats in Ukranian and Russian leagues (tracking back or not) then I doubt he'll get them here.

[oman43 45]

If he couldn't get decent stats in Ukranian and Russian leagues (tracking back or not) then I doubt he'll get them here.

Good job we have Costa and Hazard then. You can look too much into stats. Hes still 25 and also the BPL is so different to them leagues.

[The Skipper 20,593]

Rooney, like many footballers, is the same. In interviews you can tell he's not the sharpest tool in the shed but he does have a 'footballing brain' so I'd say general intelligence and footballing intelligence are very different. I don't know if Willian lacks the footballing brain or if he's just not confident enough to take the riskier option (be it a through ball, shot, etc.).

Suarez is another. Brilliant, brilliant footballing mind, but he wasn't educated.

[The Chels 2,502]

Good job we have Costa and Hazard then. You can look too much into stats. Hes still 25 and also the BPL is so different to them leagues.

The stats back up what we've seen though: his decision making (for whatever reason) is really poor.

[iseah100 5,612]

Lol, people are calling Willian, Rooney, and Suarez stupid:ph34r:. That's mean.

[Barbara 15,149]

Lol, people are calling Willian, Rooney, and Suarez stupid:ph34r:. That's mean.

that's the thing, I'm not even sure if he's what I'd label stupid. He seems a shallow thinker. Those people don't articulate their thoughts and don't fulfill their potential (in thinking). IF - big IF - that's the case it doesn't mean he's stupid, just that as he doesn't think things through he comes off as shallow. It shows in his interviews and football wise you think that he's been interrupted - by himself - and doesn't conclude the brilliant things he starts.

Or maybe he's just stupid indeed. We don't know. He made in a few years of football career more money that I'll do in my whole life and a couple more of them if I had them. So stupid or not, clever or not, bright or not, deep thinker or not, he's rich I'm not

[Daniel1980 1,425]

Yes, because of his playing style. The point being is that there is potential for change in the balance of his work rate if the team organisation allows for it. Its simple, if he is in the opposition half more and not tracking back with such dedication , then his stats would be better. I appreciate his tracking back last season was required but hopefully season it will be required less.

Not a chance. If anything, his work rate and tracking back will be required more this season if he plays on RW.

[iseah100 5,612]

Not a chance. If anything, his work rate and tracking back will be required more this season if he plays on RW.

Yupp, if Azpi and Luis bomb forward, probably.

I'm soooo excited!!!

[Daniel1980 1,425]

Yupp, if Azpi and Luis bomb forward, probably.

...and track back to help out Cesc when he plays in the pivot. He'll play on the right side.

So I'm sure Willian's work rate will be really appreciated by Jose this season.

[romeeh 139]

that's the thing, I'm not even sure if he's what I'd label stupid. He seems a shallow thinker. Those people don't articulate their thoughts and don't fulfill their potential (in thinking). IF - big IF - that's the case it doesn't mean he's stupid, just that as he doesn't think things through he comes off as shallow. It shows in his interviews and football wise you think that he's been interrupted - by himself - and doesn't conclude the brilliant things he starts.

Or maybe he's just stupid indeed. We don't know. He made in a few years of football career more money that I'll do in my whole life and a couple more of them if I had them. So stupid or not, clever or not, bright or not, deep thinker or not, he's rich I'm not

haha did u c zouma interview?

[Barbara 15,149]

haha did u c zouma interview?

nope