According to a recent report by the Metro, Brazilian speedster Willian has reassured Frank Lampard that he will play for Chelsea till the end of the league season, irrespective of the fact that his contract at the club is set to expire on the 1st of July.
Speaking to Brazilian TV Channel Esporte Interativo, the winger said, “But it’s clear that this is not a certainty (finishing the season on time), we don’t know what can happen. But without a doubt, as always, I will always be ready to give the best to my club regardless of my contract situation.”
What Is Willian’s Legacy At Chelsea?
The Brazilian has been one of the Blues’ most loyal servants for quite a while now, and it’s not surprising that the winger has such deep-lying emotions for the club. The story of how the player almost joined Tottenham before eventually signing the contract at Chelsea is now the stuff of Premier League legend, and it’s safe to say that he’s contributed more than enough to the English game to be called a legend himself.
The Corinthians academy graduate first made a name for himself in the Ukrainian league, when he joined Shakhtar Donetsk back in the summer of 2007. After spending just under six years at the club and then a short stint at Russian outfit Anzhi, he was signed up by Chelsea in the summer of 2013. The winger has remained a Stamford Bridge hero ever since.
Still one of the first names of Frank Lampard’s team sheet owing to the sheer amount of experience he adds to this young Chelsea side, there’s no denying that his presence has taken the Blues’ attacking play up a notch. His five goals and five assists from 28 league fixtures might not be the most prolific, but it’s the timing and the magnitude of the contributions that actually make the difference. The Brazilian has recorded 59 goals and 59 assists in a little over 300 appearances in a Chelsea shirt.
Why Frank Lampard Must Tie Willian Down For Another Year?
The speedster’s willingness to commit to the Blues despite his contract situation highlights just how big a place Chelsea had in his heart. The Brazilian is one of the players who’s been through good and bad times in West London, and yet still has a cult-like following at Stamford Bridge. There have been seasons to forget in recent history where the former Anzhi winger was the lone shining light.
The upcoming campaign is going to be quite the challenge for Frank Lampard and his team, as their first-leg thrashing by Bayern Munich put them in a fairly tricky situation. Even though Lampard will have the ability to make new signings in the summer, the effect of having an experienced head like Willian in the side can be quite significant. Given the situation this Chelsea squad currently find themselves in, they’ll do well to tie the speedster down for another year at the least.
