Willian

[The only place to be 11,313]

I'm speaking on a technical level - sure Willian's purpose and productivity should definitely be more, but technically speaking, his close control and ability to beat his man is only 2nd to Hazard IMO.

His lack of productivity has a lot more to do with bad decision making in the final third, i.e. shooting instead of passing or passing instead of shooting or just failing to put in that decisive ball. I think he'll improve on that aspect this season though.

As TorontoChelsea said, he's never been that productive though. He's 26 in 3 days time so this might just be who he is in much the same way Luiz isn't likely to become some defensive juggernaut anytime soon.

The most surprising thing about Willian is that he's escaped almost all criticism from other fans or commentators. It's almost crazy to think that he cost £30 million and produced so little but hasn't been labelled a flop.

He cost three times what Moses did and produced less in his first season.

[Special Juan 28,133]

Make or break for him and Oscar this season, really need to produce better, both of them.

[The Skipper 20,609]

As TorontoChelsea said, he's never been that productive though. He's 26 in 3 days time so this might just be who he is in much the same way Luiz isn't likely to become some defensive juggernaut anytime soon.

The most surprising thing about Willian is that he's escaped almost all criticism from other fans or commentators. It's almost crazy to think that he cost £30 million and produced so little but hasn't been labelled a flop.

He cost three times what Moses did and produced less in his first season.

I don't know if you remember but initially I was very against the transfer because 1. we didn't really need him at the time 2. the fee was far too excessive. Let's be honest now - Willian isn't a £30m player in any sense, he's worth £20m max, and even then it's slightly excessive, so I get what you're saying. He escapes regular criticism because he always puts in a decent shift IMO.

It's also very true that he's never really produced big numbers in his career but he isn't that sort of player. I'd like to think of him as a player that will provide the pass before the pass, amongst other things like his energy, work rate, tactical ability and ability to keep possession. Sure, all of that isn't truly worth £30m, but I do believe that Willian will have a good season this year - something like 10 goals and 10/15 assists plus all the other intangibles he brings to the table would be a great season for Willian - sure, maybe that isn't worth the £30m; you'd expect more than that of a player of that fee; but he's a CFC player and we must support him and hope he improved this year on his productivity, which I believe he will, especially now the side is a lot more balanced so maybe we can afford to give him a bit more freedom tactically.

[stroey 2,525]

Willian already proved himself last season, yes he can improve but he didn't have a bad season at all. Whenever he was on the pitch, you could see Hazard had less pressure. Willian can dribble and beat 2-3 man, keep the ball well and is very good in counter attacks. He wasn't super productive, just 4 goals but he does more than goals. He recovers balls, gives many keypasses, defends well and is one of the best high pressing attacking mids we have.

Hazard, Willian, Schurrle are the 3 starters for me this season. A combination of creativity, goals, super pace and high work rate.

[stroey 2,525]

http://youtu.be/OiBeJqPYwuY

Willian last season

[romeeh 139]

Willian already proved himself last season, yes he can improve but he didn't have a bad season at all. Whenever he was on the pitch, you could see Hazard had less pressure. Willian can dribble and beat 2-3 man, keep the ball well and is very good in counter attacks. He wasn't super productive, just 4 goals but he does more than goals. He recovers balls, gives many keypasses, defends well and is one of the best high pressing attacking mids we have.

Hazard, Willian, Schurrle are the 3 starters for me this season. A combination of creativity, goals, super pace and high work rate.

how abou oscar

[stroey 2,525]

how abou oscar

Has to fight himself in the first team again, obv has the talent but his form in the latest part of last season was absurd.

[Pizy 18,877]

Wow, that video above makes him look like a world class beast.

I really like Willian and honestly, if he just works on his end product and decisiveness in the final third he'd go from a very good player which he is now to a great one.

Actually wouldn't mind him competing with Oscar for the #10 spot so that Schürrle can lock down the RW.

[The only place to be 11,313]

Willian already proved himself last season,

No he didn't. The most impressive thing about him is those occasional bursts where he'll close down the keeper. His passing is tidy but unexceptional, his set-piece delivery is decent but nothing special, his pace is good over the first few yards but he's not exceptionally speedy and his shooting is ok but doesn't produce enough results.

As Skipper said, he's not a £30 million in the slightest yet he doesn't get any criticism which is remarkable.

I think he had maybe one really strong game last season (Stoke at home) but beyond that he really wasn't anything to write home about. Really needs to step it up but I'd go with Schurrle to start the season.

[bababoom 4,478]

I like him, i know he's not worth 30 million and he should score and assist more but he suits our high pressing system so well. He works hard for the team and i think he's going to improve this season.

[Korea 734]

Willian has a role and plays his role well.

Similar to di maria under jose... Put willian on lw or cam, he will instantly pop up better stats.....

[TheIceMan 596]

I don't know if you remember but initially I was very against the transfer because 1. we didn't really need him at the time 2. the fee was far too excessive. Let's be honest now - Willian isn't a £30m player in any sense, he's worth £20m max, and even then it's slightly excessive, so I get what you're saying. He escapes regular criticism because he always puts in a decent shift IMO.

It's also very true that he's never really produced big numbers in his career but he isn't that sort of player. I'd like to think of him as a player that will provide the pass before the pass, amongst other things like his energy, work rate, tactical ability and ability to keep possession. Sure, all of that isn't truly worth £30m, but I do believe that Willian will have a good season this year - something like 10 goals and 10/15 assists plus all the other intangibles he brings to the table would be a great season for Willian - sure, maybe that isn't worth the £30m; you'd expect more than that of a player of that fee; but he's a CFC player and we must support him and hope he improved this year on his productivity, which I believe he will, especially now the side is a lot more balanced so maybe we can afford to give him a bit more freedom tactically.

Mehn, you sure do like Willian a lot!

[The Skipper 20,609]

Mehn, you sure do like Willian a lot!

Is that meant to be sarcastic or?

[TheIceMan 596]

Is that meant to be sarcastic or?

no just expressing something. When I read the forum and in some thread, someone mention anything bad about Willian you throw everything you got and defend him like a mother when somebody attack her child, which is admirable and was more like to congratulate you, than to attack you with harmful sarcasm!

[The Skipper 20,609]

no just expressing something. When I read the forum and in some thread, someone mention anything bad about Willian you throw everything you got and defend him like a mother when somebody attack her child, which is admirable and was more like to congratulate you, than to attack you with harmful sarcasm!

I didn't really defend Willian in that post tbh if you read it again. Nor have I really defended him in other threads. All I said in other threads that he'll play on the right a lot this season in response to someone who said he'll play exclusively in the middle...