A Progress Report on the Form of Chelsea's Brazilian Midfielder Willian
After failing to set the World Cup stage alight in his native Brazil—and Andre Schurrle being a key member in Germany's eventual conquest—there were elevated levels of suspicion this summer surrounding Willian Borges da Silva's role in the 2014/15 Chelsea hierarchy.
Not one to follow public convention, however, Jose Mourinho has put continued faith in his joint-highest expenditure while managing the west London club.
Playing in 21 of Chelsea's 25 games—starting 15—Willian has found his footing after moving to Stamford Bridge last summer, costing £32 million from Anzhi Makhachkala.
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At 26 years old, the Brazilian is the relative elder statesman of Mourinho's attacking midfielders. With an average age of 23, Eden Hazard, Oscar, Mohamed Salah and Schurrle likely look to their older team-mate for cues, and Willian has not disappointed.
Though not scoring goals on par with his peers, or even assisting, the effort shown by Chelsea's No. 22 appears his foremost characteristic.
Acclimating to the Premier League in 2013/14, Willian played in 25 domestic games, providing the Blues with four goals and two assists. On pace for similar numbers this season, it would seem the Brazilian's level has been reached, but the stats do not tell the complete story.
Managers, players and supporters want goals from their wide men. The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Arjen Robben are known the world over for their creative flair and attacking prowess, but what of the defensive side? Were one asked to list their top five defensive wingers in world football, Willian's name would not be far from the top.
The beautiful game has a dirty side, and in Chelsea's present construction, an attacking midfielder willing to track runners is vital to the team's balance and shape. Hazard has improved his defensive undertakings since the arrival of Mourinho, likewise Oscar and Schurrle, but Willian has an extra gear his team-mates lack.
Branislav Ivanovic and Cesc Fabregas are often subscribed to the right side of the Blues' 4-2-3-1 formation. While the 4-2-3-1 starts as Chelsea's formation, usually the two full-backs have pressed high—especially Ivanovic—and Fabregas plays with the attacking triumvirate in front of the striker.
Playing sides who know they are outgunned and outclassed, their best bets are to sit back, soak pressure and pray for counter-attacking opportunities with the game scoreless. Knowing this, Mourinho responds with up to nine men in the opponents' half. This siege mentality makes Chelsea's two-way athletes—namely Willian, Nemanja Matic and Cesar Azpilicueta—vital cogs in the Blues' team structure.
Willian has performed his role admirably during this season's first half, using his pace, instincts and technical aptitude at their best since his Chelsea debut.
Despite these advantages, there will always be rumours aimed at the right side of Chelsea's attack.
Hazard is an untouchable, so the wingers of the world—such as Marco Reus, per the Daily Star's Chisanga Malata—will incessantly be linked with the Brazilian's spot; but unless Mourinho plans on playing cowboy and having shootouts with the Premier League and Europe, seeing a player with Willian's traits being ousted from his position makes very little sense.
As Chelsea's striker crisis of the past two seasons has left, with Fabregas and Co. supplying the likes of Diego Costa, Didier Drogba and Loic Remy, the Blues' attacking midfield options do not need to be as clinical as previously desired.
Goals from every position would be ideal in a perfect footballing world, but in this instance they are not overtly necessary. What is required from the right side of attack, however, is balance, diligence and graft, all of which the Brazilian international provides.
Via the Daily Mail's Matt Barlow, Willian recently suggested: "I have to prove myself on a daily basis at Chelsea. I have to kill a lion each time, and I am dedicated to that."
One could probably scour the planet and be hard pressed finding a quote which pleases Mourinho more.
*Stats via WhoScored.com; transfer fees via Soccerbase.com where not noted.
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