Only one I can think of was the Shakhtar Donetsk game at the bridge, where he came on and grabbed the winner in the 90th. Fair play to him, he was ok last year, but Willian is a definite upgrade.

And even that one was just a winning header, not changing the game with his exceptional wide play breaking trough stubborn defences.

I seem to remember Moses doing well up until Jan 2013, where he had to leave for the African Cup thing, then when he returned he wasn't as effective somehow. 

http://www.givemesport.com/403333-tottenham-dodged-a-bullet-in-not-signing-willian?autoplay=on

Speaking out his arse!!!

Willian has an interview in The Times today:

Adulation is music to Willian’s ears

Exclusive

“The s***s from Spurs, they paid his flight, but Willian he saw the light,

One phone call from Abramovich, and off he went to Stamford Bridge.”

It says a lot that the few words of English Willian has learnt since joining Chelsea relate to a club on the other side of London. “He hates Tottenham, no?” the Brazilian says with a smile, when asked for the lyrics of the song he is serenaded with whenever he appears at Stamford Bridge.

In truth, Willian has so far done little to earn such adoration from Chelsea fans, other than signing for the club in one of the more bizarre transfers of recent times. Having completed a medical, trained with his prospective new team-mates in the gym and even signed a contract outlining his personal terms, the 25-year-old was to all intents and purposes a Tottenham Hotspur player on August 22 in the summer, when he received a phone call that would profoundly alter his career.

Although not quite as straightforward as the scenario outlined with such gusto by the Chelsea choristers, Roman Abramovich’s relationship with Suleyman Kerimov, the Dagestani billionaire owner of Anzhi Makhachkala, proved pivotal and Tottenham were effectively gazumped.

Sources close to the deal claim that Willian was given little option and that he was initially reluctant to leave Tottenham in the lurch, but as he smiled through our interview at Chelsea’s training ground yesterday, he did not seem to be a man consumed with regret. The words of any footballer claiming to have secured a dream move should be taken with a pinch of salt, although it is true that Chelsea had been tracking him for over two years, with the added irony that André Villas-Boas, then the Chelsea manager, had first alerted the club to his potential.

It soon emerges through his interpreter that Willian does not fully comprehend the meaning of the song that has made him a cult hero at Chelsea, and that the club’s latest trophy signing would rather be known for helping to deliver trophies.

“What is ‘he hates?’ ” Willian asks with genuine interest. “I don’t know what it means. But I feel really happy that the supporters take the time and the trouble to write a song about me. It’s a privilege to be hear them clapping and singing about me.

“These were part of some negotiations with other clubs, but I wanted to play for Chelsea so much there was no way I would go anywhere else. For two years Shakhtar Donetsk didn’t accept the offer. I got even more interested in Chelsea and started following their games. All I wanted was to come to Chelsea so when they made the offer again this time I didn’t think twice.

“My heart was already at Chelsea. It was the right decision. It’s very important to be happy and I wished so much to work with José Mourinho.”

In some respects, Willian’s transfer sums up much of the madness of the modern game, when several clubs’ transfer policies can be changed in an instant by the whims of a very rich man, but he has not known anything different. Having signed for Corinthians at the age of 9, it seems that Willian has rarely had much control over his own career, moving to Shakhtar as a teenager and then, after several failed attempts to leave Ukraine, enduring an unhappy spell at Anzhi this year.

The 2,000-mile round trips for home matches in Dagestan from his home in Moscow were just one source of discontent, and he was one of many players relieved when the club were put up for sale last summer, with Samuel Eto’o following him to Chelsea.

“You can’t compare life in England and Russia,” Willian says. “At Anzhi we didn’t have such a wonderful training centre, and we had to do a lot of travelling to get to matches. It was a brave project, but it didn’t get off the ground and now it’s over. I went to Anzhi because I wanted to leave Shakhtar. I’d been there for five years and they wouldn’t release me. Every offer that came in they rejected. I don’t know why, but when Anzhi came in they allowed me to speak to them. Anzhi paid my release clause, spoke about a beautiful project and made me a great offer.”

As Anzhi were effectively holding a fire-sale there was no such problem last summer, with Liverpool also in the running, but the presence of Oscar, Ramires and David Luiz at Stamford Bridge made Chelsea particularly attractive. The four Brazilians socialise regularly, and one of Willian’s ambitions is to ensure he is with his compatriots at next summer’s World Cup.

“I was very happy to be back in the squad against Honduras and Chile this month and I believe I played well,” he says. “I don’t know if I’m going to be part of it, but I hope I’ll be called to take part in the World Cup.”

Willian speaks in similarly glowing terms about his manager. “Mourinho is a winner, and everyone likes to work with a winner,” he says. “He sees youindividually first of all. Playing at Chelsea today means you’re in the biggest shop window in the world. Everyone is watching, and it’s great for me that people take notice.”

Villas-Boas and others at Tottenham cannot bear to look.

Chelsea FC are supporting the DEC Philippines Appeal. DEC member agencies and their partners have provided aid to over 700,000 people, but many more need help. For information please visit www.dec.org.uk or text ‘footie’ to 70000 to donate just £5

Edited November 30, 201312 yr by Huttsey

Must admit, hes been a slow starter but he is getting better with his performances. Still more to come from him I think.

He hates Tottenham

Going to bump this after tonight. The bright spark in what was otherwise a very disappointing night.

I thought he was superb and he has been one of our most consistent performers. He just needs to add a bit more of cutting edge to his game to bring him to the next level.

Could his work rate, decision making and composure on the ball turn him to a CM with him and Oscar fluidly switching positions, I think he has it in him and if Jose can install a tough mentality in him (which is there) he may be a good fit there.

I was one of those dead against this signing, but he's won me over. Honestly, I would take him over Hazard right now as I know what I am going to get with Willian. I think he's incredibly hungry and wants to achieve something with his career after wasting a lot of it in Ukraine and a 6 month jolly in Russia. 

His workrate is brilliant but he needs to be more brave going inside the box and challenging players where it really matters. Anyway he's done well and he is head and shoulders above the man who we loaned out to Pool.

His workrate is brilliant but he needs to be more brave going inside the box and challenging players where it really matters. Anyway he's done well and he is head and shoulders above the man who we loaned out to Pool.

Agree with this. Workrate great , final ball poor.

Hes clearly a fine player, but I'm sorry - we just didn't need to buy him and certainly not for £30 million.

Work rate is all well and good but as an attacking player it's what you do with the ball that counts and for me Willian still doesn't create enough in the final third where often his decision making is poor.

He's got potential but right right now it's all huff and no puff from him.

If he was a midfielder he would be amazing but he's not, he's an attacking mid and so far he's shown very little in that regard to suggest he should be taking game time away from Schurrle or even KDB for that matter.

He's a chelsea player now so people should get over the fact he was signed and what we paid for him, it's pointless going over it...I think he is improving and contributing more...the argument he should do more in the final third is valid, but then you could say the same for all our players...even our better players hazard, Oscar and mata have not been consistent in this regard...

Very good player who will become a permanent fixture in the first team imo.

What about playing Willian deeper in a Fernandihno type role? I'm sure he played there for Shaktar. He tackles very well, exceptional work rate, can carry a ball forward and pick out a good long pass.

Ramires/Willian would be a formidable Brazilian link up.

Certainly more mobile than the pairings we use at the moment Sharpy.

He flys under the radar a bit doesnt he. To me he doesnt set the world alight and really stand out but he does a good job. I think he is often forgotten about when people talk about our players during games.

My only gripe with him is we seem to be lacking in attack when he plays. We dont see as sharpe. I think this is because he is good a tracking back.

Agree with this. Workrate great , final ball poor.

Hes clearly a fine player, but I'm sorry - we just didn't need to buy him and certainly not for £30 million.

Agree, he's pretty nimble on the ball, quick turn of pace etc, but he didn't really offer much in creating goal scoring opportunities, and thats what he was tasked to do in the position he was given.

He can only get better though.

If he was a midfielder he would be amazing but he's not, he's an attacking mid and so far he's shown very little in that regard to suggest he should be taking game time away from Schurrle or even KDB for that matter.

 

KDB has hardly featured but when he has he has hardly looked a better player than Willian.

 

Not too much to seperate Willian & Schurrle's contribution in the final third so far as far as I cam concerned, personally I think Willian brings more to the team all over the park, winning the ball back & pressing, so he would be my choice.

 

I have seen you post a few comments in the match thread about Willian not doing enough in the final third and whilst I do agree he needs to add more to this side of his game I think the same could have been said for all three of the attacking mids last night and in fact Willian created two clear goal scoring oppertunities (cross on a plate for Ba from the right and beating his man in the box and crossing from the left in extra time) that on another day could have assisted two crucial goals.

 

What clear cut chances did Schurrle and KDB create last night?

I think Schurrle is massively under rated by a lot of Chelsea fans. I think he is our most direct AM. While most of our players just play with the ball around the box and end up losing it Schurrle is running at players and having a shot at goal. Its nice to see Hazard and Mata running around and doing some fancy flicks but for me i would rather them pick the ball up and smash it at the goal. We are not scoring enough goals in games so running around doing anything but shooting isnt helping us win games.

Love Schurrle. Want to see him play more. 

I think Schurrle is massively under rated by a lot of Chelsea fans. I think he is our most direct AM. While most of our players just play with the ball around the box and end up losing it Schurrle is running at players and having a shot at goal. Its nice to see Hazard and Mata running around and doing some fancy flicks but for me i would rather them pick the ball up and smash it at the goal. We are not scoring enough goals in games so running around doing anything but shooting isnt helping us win games.

Agreed its a relief to see someone actually taking the shot on

Edited December 18, 201312 yr by Zola

I seem to be one of the few who dont really rate schurrle highly. Good player but if I was to list our 6 AMs in order he would come bottom.

Willian needs more end product though.

I think its difficult to rate our AMs against each other as they are all slightly different and all have had massively different game time, its all down to form or opponent for me and we're pretty lucky to have the choices, its much more of a squad game than it used to be with more games seeming to be played than ever.

 

On form I'd put Willian ahead of Shurrle but only a couple of games ago Shurrle scored two and was a menace, I think he was predictable last night but when Hazard came on he was equaly predictable, it must be a hard job being a manager with all the choices we have in midfield.

 

I still wouldn't be letting KDB go, I thought he was rusty last night and he gave the ball away in a couple of scarey positions but he grew into the game and looks to me like a run of games and the feeling he was Part of it all without so much pressure to perform would help him no end.

Edited December 18, 201312 yr by Chippy

I seem to be one of the few who dont really rate schurrle highly. Good player but if I was to list our 6 AMs in order he would come bottom.

Willian needs more end product though.

 

That's a whole debate in itself who our best three attacking mids are but I will say this, no way is Schurrle behind KDB in the pecking order. 

KDB has hardly featured but when he has he has hardly looked a better player than Willian.

 

Not too much to seperate Willian & Schurrle's contribution in the final third so far as far as I cam concerned, personally I think Willian brings more to the team all over the park, winning the ball back & pressing, so he would be my choice.

 

I have seen you post a few comments in the match thread about Willian not doing enough in the final third and whilst I do agree he needs to add more to this side of his game I think the same could have been said for all three of the attacking mids last night and in fact Willian created two clear goal scoring oppertunities (cross on a plate for Ba from the right and beating his man in the box and crossing from the left in extra time) that on another day could have assisted two crucial goals.

 

What clear cut chances did Schurrle and KDB create last night?

With good reason, he doesn't have the run of games Willian has had.

 

In regards to Schurrle, the comment below yours says all I was going to say. Willian plays it safe, Schurrle tries to make things happen.

 

I think I commented on those passes and said it was good bits of play and something he should be doing more of. If he did that regularly I wouldn't be mentioning his end product so much. I was also talking about him generally, not just in regards to last night.

 

I don't recall Schurrle or KDB creating any clear cut chances, they did put some good balls into the box that could have resulted in goals though. They also made space for themselves, ran at/beat players and took shots. KDB's being unlucky not to result in a goal. They generally contributed more to the attack than Willian did (I have no idea what he was doing in the second half, he watched the attacking play go past him for long periods in that half).