As Chelsea look set to win their second league title in three years, many are wondering whether this is their best ever side. With such flattering comparisons, it’s no surprise that several talented players are struggling to get into the team. Antonio Conte has been very loyal to his starting XI and they’ve rewarded him for such faith. As a consequence, other talented players have been shafted to the side.
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Chelsea’s Player of the Season last year has struggled to get the minutes he deserves this season. Willian has gone from star man at the Bridge to regular bench warmer. The 28-year-old has only made 13 Premier League starts this season, that’s half of Chelsea’s total number of matches.
For such a talented player, the Brazilian deserves more than just watching football from the sidelines, he deserves to be on the flank stealing the show.
With game time being limited, he could be on the move in the summer. Here are 5 possible destinations for Willian.
#5 AC Milan
This season has been lukewarm for the Rossoneri. The Milan team currently sit 6th in Serie A, 20 points adrift of league leaders, Juventus. This is not where the European giant should be and Vincenzo Montella knows it.
Despite possessing talents like Gerard Deulofeu, Lucas Ocampos and Carlos Bacca, Milan have only scored 47 goals in 31 league games. This is where the creativity and skill of Willian is needed.
To play for a side like Milan would be a great achievement for the 28-year-old. He could also sleep well at night knowing that he was the catalyst for great change at the San Siro. The Italian league is notoriously known for having no nonsense strong defenders, however, they’re also notably slow. Willian would thrive in such a league as he’d leave players for dead and operate at a speed rival defences couldn’t cope with.
#4 Liverpool
We all know Jürgen Klopp loves his pacey explosive wingers. The German has based his entire footballing philosophy around his quick forwards pressing from the front. Willian possesses the necessary work rate and attacking efficiency to thrive in Klopp’s gegenpressing team.
As a player already acclimatised to the dynamics of the Premier League, Willian would seamlessly fit in at Anfield. Liverpool currently have a free-flowing front three of Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane; the three interchange throughout a 90-minute match.
Willian would obviously compete with Mane for the RW position, but seeing as Klopp is very flexible with his attacking options, the Brazilian would definitely receive the minutes he’s after.
#3 Sevilla
Jorge Sampaoli has done marvellous work at Sevilla this season. Not only has he pushed Real Madrid and Barcelona to the limits, he’s also taken the Spanish club to unknown heights in the Champions League.
On top of all that, he’s been able to resurrect the careers of Premier League rejects, Samir Nasri and Steven N’Zonzi. To continue the trend, Sampaoli should take on another underappreciated player in Willian.
Sampaoli has got his team playing with an unrivalled level of aggression. They zip the ball around continuously trying to find holes in opponents. As a close control dribbler, Willian would be a suitable component to add to Sevilla’s attack.
In a league more suited to technical players, Willian would thrive in tight spaces as well as produce quick passing combinations in the final third. The move makes perfect sense for all parties involved.
#2 Arsenal
It’s no secret that the Gunners are in dire need of a goal-scoring winger. The Gunners currently play with a lob-sided attack in games as a result of which they struggle to break teams down. Willian has the skill set, mentality and tactical nous to help Wenger’s men breakdown low-block defences. As an agile and clinical winger, Willian is most definitely the missing piece in Arsène Wenger achieving optimal attacking efficiency at Arsenal.
Premier League rivals don’t usually sell to each other, but seeing as Arsenal currently sit 21 points behind the league leaders, it’s hard to say the two clubs are rivals. Willian moving to Arsenal would significantly improve the North London club.
#1 Atlético Madrid
As the manager of the third best team in Spain, Diego Simeone has led a revolution in the La Liga. No longer is the league a two club spectacle, Simeone has shown that others can also compete. As well as taking the La Liga by storm, Diego’s Atlético have also dominated the Champions League, firmly establishing Spain as the number one domestic league in the world.
Atlético Madrid usually play a 4-4-2 that turns into a 4-2-4 in attack. The system relies on the forwards and wingers pressing from the front. With Yannick Carrasco on one flank and Willian on the other, Atlético would be unstoppable from a pressing point of view and an attacking one. On top of that, Antoine Griezmann usually drifts into the wide channels which would thus allow Willian to operate centrally.
For Willian, the move would allow him to play in the best league in the world in a team on the verge of taking over Spain.
