Shakhtar Donetsk’s Willian has revealed his desire to play for a bigger club in a bigger league, preferably to Chelsea and the Premier League, but should there be another London destination he would be better suited for?
Interest in the Brazilian attacker has increased since impressing for the Ukranian club in the Champions League this season, scoring four goals six games, and he is destined for a move to one of Europe’s big clubs in the not too distant future, with the likes of Chelsea, Tottenham and Juventus all reportedly willing to meet Shakhtar’s £24 million asking price.
If the Premier League is indeed his next destination he’ll have a big decision to make. The Brazil international plays as a left attacking midfielder for Shakhtar, but can also play as an attacking midfielder.
At Stamford Bridge Willian would be competing with the likes of Juan Mata, Oscar and Eden Hazard, all of which have made hugely impressive starts to the season, for a starting berth. They are working well together in Chelsea’s attack and without one of them, Chelsea lose a dimension to their threat going forward.
There is no questioning Willian’s ability to play regularly at Chelsea, but with the caliber of talent that’s already there and performing well, he’d have a tough job keeping of of the aforementioned players out of the side.
At Tottenham, however, the quality of competition is a little less tough to break down. There’s no denying Spurs are a quality side who will mount a serious charge on the top four this season, but a player like Willian would fit in perfectly at White Hart Lane.
[post_link url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/premiership/tottenham/avb-rules-out-bale-departure,https://www.footballfancast.com/premiership/liverpool/the-changing-rules-of-the-transfer-market,https://www.footballfancast.com/premiership/tottenham/moussa-dembele-premier-leagues-loss-is-tottenhams-gain” target=”_blank” type=”list”]
Since Rafael van der Vaart left in the summer, Andre Villas-Boas has been searching for the Dutchman’s perfect successor. Mousa Dembele and Gylfi Sigurdsson have both turned in impressive performances in the attacking midfield role, while Gareth Bale has been his usual, threatening self on the left.
Willian, however, would be a stronger candidate in attacking midfield than Sigurdsson and Dempsey, being the provider to Jermain Defoe and whatever striker Spurs sign in January, while his flair will add an extra dimension to their attacking play.
Furthermore, Chelsea seem to be in a state of transition and, despite still sitting third in the Premier League after just one win in their last six games, they are no longer a dead cert for a top four finish. Nor a Tottenham, we know, but recent performances and given the current stability at each club, Spurs look a more attractive prospect moving forward at this very moment in time.
Benitez’s Chelsea future seems to be decided game by game at the moment, just like most of Chelsea’s previous managers, while Villas-Boas looks like he may have finally found a working formula at Tottenham.
Both side’s attacking threat are currently two of the best in the Premier League and capable of damaging most clubs, but there seems to be more room for strengthening in Tottenham’s and Willian would fit in nicely there. Also, the fact Spurs have room for improvement but still look as good as they do means there can only be successful days ahead for Villas-Boas at White Hart Lane.
If I was Willian, the choice would be an easy one to make. Chelsea have a manager the fans don’t want and are not performing at their best, while Spurs are improving week by week and are strong candidates for a top three finish, let alone challenging for fourth.
So much talk these days is about whether players and clubs are the perfect fit and, well, Willian and Tottenham might well be a match made in heaven, while Willian and Chelsea could end up being a huge regret for both parties.
What do you think? Is Willian better suited at Tottenham given the competition? Or should he follow his dream and choose Chelsea as his next destination? Leave your thoughts below.