Happy to say i've always rated him. Taken huge steps this season though.

Honestly the amount of people admitting they didn't rate Willian very highly. Aww you guys

 

and a massive thank you to the Spuds for bringing him over at their own expense and letting him sign for the Champions of England!

More free-kicks to come.

Goes to show how many people on here would not have a clue about a footballer. even if they was standing right in front of them.

To be fair, he was fairly crap the last 2 years. 

To be fair, he always look like he had potential. 

To be fair, we cant complain when he's banging them in :)

Amazing what a bit of confidence can do.

I dont think anyone ever thought he didn't have the potential, he's always been one of the best on the ball and one of the hardest workers, even when "not playing well". For the money people expected him to be a goal scorer, which is exact;y what he has become this season... boosting him from being a regular joe in the team to being first on the team sheet.

Edited November 5, 201510 yr by Zola

Goes to show how many people on here would not have a clue about a footballer. even if they was standing right in front of them.

 

That's a bit harsh. Before this season it's not like Willian was very good in attack for us, he was actually really poor. You can't blame people for thinking he wasn't that great, especially when he was very similar at his other clubs.

That's a bit harsh. Before this season it's not like Willian was very good in attack for us, he was actually really poor. You can't blame people for thinking he wasn't that great, especially when he was very similar at his other clubs.

Not if your read the utter clap trap that has been written about him.

Willian lacked goals and assists, he was not "poor" in any aspect of his game aside from those two statistics.  As some of us said/alluded too, if he could just get those goals/assists he'd be a great player for us, perhaps at Eden's level or so.... and he has been this season.

Edited November 5, 201510 yr by Barry Bridges

Goes to show how many people on here would not have a clue about a footballer. even if they was standing right in front of them.

Hes scored as many this season as he did the 2 before combined. I think it was reasonable to be skeptical

What impressed me most last night was his end product. He beat his man a few times and put a good ball in at the end of it.

Just keeps getting better. He is fast becoming the complete midfielder.

He's a glorified Ramires who has never been a prolific scorer or creator and at 26 years old is exactly the player he's going to be. 

 

Or am I wrong?

 

You are wrong.

You are wrong.

I actually remembered that post (forgot who posted though) and was thinking of digging it up haha

Willian is shaping into form of what kind of player he can become. I still think he has more to offer as a player and is just getting started.

You are wrong.

He'd still say he was right.

If two of three of our other midfielders could replicate his application, concentration, work rate and desire to win, to go with their talent - we'd surely not be in the league position we're in.

On Saturday he was the only player I saw, that showed how angry/disappointed he was when we went a goal down.

Player of the season, thus far, for me - by a distance.

To be fair, he was fairly crap the last 2 years. 

 

No. He wasn't. (to be fair)

Well we will have to agree to disagree.

I actually remembered that post (forgot who posted though) and was thinking of digging it up haha

 

Great minds think alike.

 

I've been critical of Willian myself but instead of writing a post about how good he's been, those old posts of Blue Daze came to mind, and there were a lot of them, telling us he had no chance of improving because of his age.

 

It's all coming together for Willian now. He's got great technique, pace, workrate, vision, skill and dribbling ability. Now he's adding end-product. For years we've wanted somebody to deliver on the right, to take some of the burden off Hazard and allow Hazard more room to operate. Sadly he's faded beyond recognition, just when we've found that player.

 

Edit: Easy to shine in a team doing well, not so easy when they're doing poorly. He's shown his mettle. Wish we could say the same about others.

Edited November 5, 201510 yr by Davey Baby

Would like to see him get some goals from open play but his new found deadliness from set plays is a welcome addition.

This is really worth a watch if any of you have 12 minutes to spare.

 

Hasn't got the mad skill of Hazard but he's at the top of his game and oozing confidence.

 

Last night was a big goal, we draw and they're ahead of us on points and we're third with two games to go, and the pressure just mounts.

 

Look at the pass on three and a half minutes. They couldn't live with him.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaqUR6g5u14

This is really worth a watch if any of you have 12 minutes to spare.

Hasn't got the mad skill of Hazard but he's at the top of his game and oozing confidence.

Last night was a big goal, we draw and they're ahead of us on points and we're third with two games to go, and the pressure just mounts.

Look at the pass on three and a half minutes. They couldn't live with him.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaqUR6g5u14

That guys youtube is awesome btw. Highly recommended for everyone here

It's always been evident he's had the ability to influence games as much as he is this season, and i'm glad he's finally taking that initiative. It's more than just the free kicks, his energy to pop up all over the field and help win the ball back one minute and be leading a counter attack to the opposition box the next is the main reason why he's been our best player this season. While everyone else is looking lethargic and half-assed Willian is doing the work of 3 men.

His work rate was unbelievable, conserving the amount of distance he covers in both attack and defence, and he took just about all the set pieces. If we get a penalty on Saturday, I would hand over to Wilian too.  I think it will really help if we have fullbacks who could stand up to attackers without the constant track back from attacking players.