According to a recent report by The Telegraph (subscription required), Arsenal will face stiff competition from Tottenham Hotspur and Bayern Munich in the race to acquire the services of Chelsea winger Willian, who is set to become a free agent at the end of this campaign. The same source has also revealed that the Blues have offered him a two-year contract extension, but the player hasn’t been able to reach an agreement as he wants a three-year deal. The West London giants have declined to meet the Brazilian’s demands which could open the door for other top clubs to seal a move for him this summer (via The Telegraph).
Willian’s Sensational Career In The Premier League
The fact that Willian’s contract at Stamford Bridge is coming to an end in this off-season makes him an attractive proposition for any of his potential suitors. The former Corinthians winger has enjoyed an incredible career in Premier League football since joining Chelsea from Anzhi Makhachkala back in 2013.
The Brazilian has made a total of 226 appearances in the English top-flight for the Blues, scoring 33 goals while providing 37 assists. He has won the Premier League twice, the FA Cup once and the UEFA Europa League once during his time at the English capital which has cemented his legacy as one of the Chelsea greats.
Willian has registered seven goals and six assists in 37 matches for Frank Lampard’s side this term in all competitions. Even though father time is catching up with his game, the 31-year-old has shown no signs of slowing down and has managed to contribute by scoring and assisting some important goals for the Blues this season.
Willian In League Football Vs Willian In Europe
The 69-time Brazil international has averaged 1.9 shots, 1.8 key passes and 1.9 dribbles in every 90 minutes of league football this term (stats via whoscored). Willian’s performance levels have gone up a notch in the UEFA Champions League as he is averaging 1.4 shots, 2.7 key passes and 4.0 dribbles per game in the seven European matches he has been a part of this season (stats via whoscored). The numbers reveal that he still has what it takes to succeed at the highest level and so the Gunners would be wise to offer him a chance to join Mikel Arteta’s revolution before the start of the new campaign.
What Will The Brazilian Wide Player Bring To The Emirates Stadium?
Willian is still one of the quickest players in the Premier League despite edging towards the twilight years of his career. He can use his pace and agility to beat his marker when left isolated in a 1v1 footrace and is not shy of making driving runs with the ball in the final third. As mentioned earlier, the South American sensation is averaging four dribbles per match in the Champions League this season which is a remarkable feat for a winger in the wrong end of his thirties.
Willian has the vision to carve open the opposition defence with a killer pass and is also a potent threat from long range. Therefore, it is no wonder that so many elite clubs are battling it out to land him for free this summer. If the Brazilian can continue to be productive going forward, then he could turn out to be a massive coup for the Gunners. He will not only add more creativity and dynamism to Arteta’s frontline but could also help mentor some of the younger Arsenal players like Reiss Nelson, Gabriel Martinelli and Emile Smith-Rowe.
Willian has a wealth of experience in English football and will bring a winning mentality to the Gunners dressing room if Arteta can find a way to lure him to North London. Furthermore, he will also allow the Spanish head coach to change his formation and make substitutions on the go due to his versatility to play anywhere across the frontline.
