Why Willian Is Absolutely Vital to Chelsea's Midfield Fluency
Given the level of criticism that has been targeted at Juan Cuadrado, the Colombian would be forgiven for thinking there is an agenda against him.
Indeed, ask Jose Mourinho and it may well be labelled a "campaign."
There isn't, of course. When you play for a team that has just won the Premier League and Capital One Cup, there is an expected standard that comes with the territory.
Regardless of whether you're a Chelsea fan or not, it isn't important. What observers want to see—and what they expect from a Chelsea player—is a certain level of performance that befits the title.
Cuadrado hasn't hit those heights yet. Far from it.
What's amplified his disastrous start to life in the Premier League all the more is how Willian continues to lead the way on the right side of midfield.
The Brazilian is as essential to this Chelsea team as the rest of its stars. He's not Eden Hazard or Cesc Fabregas, but that shouldn't fool us into disregarding what a big figure he has become at Stamford Bridge.
Despite that £30 million price tag, the most exciting thing about Willian when he joined Chelsea was the fact he snubbed Tottenham Hotspur at the 11th hour to move to Stamford Bridge instead.
That immediately won credit with Chelsea fans, and since then he's shown he has the substance to cut it in English football.
Sure, there's still a valid debate as to whether or not Willian's fee should have been so high, yet he has served Chelsea well.
A quality that remains undervalued in the modern game is the willingness for players to take a back seat. Those who don't seek the limelight can often be disregarded by fans, the media and pundits.
As we're talking Chelsea, it's Hazard we're often salivating over; he's the player we're quick to label indispensable.
He may not have the same bag of tricks or end product as his Belgian team-mate, but Willian is on the same level when we consider just how important he is to Chelsea's midfield.
If Hazard is the Ferrari in Chelsea's garage, Willian is the engine that drives it.
All things considered, it's a rather apt analogy that hasn't been thrown in here to add some fluff.
Hazard is flash, the player who makes Chelsea look good. He brings the sparkle that attracts doting fans and makes those who love football get excited.
Willian is more industrious. He has plenty of ability with the ball, however his biggest asset is his hard work on the flank for Chelsea, adding the graft that allows players such as Hazard to contribute the way they do.
Without those like Willian, it would all fall apart.
It's something Jose Mourinho has acknowledged himself in the past.
When the PFA Team of the Year was announced in April, the Chelsea boss was understandably happy to see six of his players in the lineup.
John Terry, Gary Cahill, Nemanja Matic, Branislav Ivanovic, Diego Costa and Hazard all made the cut in the vote from their fellow professionals.
Regardless of all the talent from elsewhere—the remaining five players were David De Gea, Ryan Bertrand, Philippe Coutinho, Alexis Sanchez and Harry Kane—Mourinho wasn't totally won over.
"I think that team wouldn't win the Premier League. Because that team is four defenders, Matic and only five to attack. So it's a team without any balance."
Mourinho's thoughts were that the team needed Fabregas. He should have mentioned Willian, too.
It's no secret how this Chelsea team sets up. They defend from the front, with the manager demanding his attacking players do enough to provide the first line of defence when his team isn't in possession.
Those who don't are usually shown the door, regardless of their reputation.
Juan Mata was a hero at Stamford Bridge, although his inability to defend meant he was surplus to Mourinho. He was out of the door within six months of Mourinho's return as boss.
Like the PFA fantasy team, the manager craves balance. Teams can have too much of a good thing, and he knows it.
Mourinho will indulge Hazard because the Belgian simply is that good. In order to do so, he needs the likes of Willian to graft in the way they do, to put in the hard yards.
Eric Cantona refers to players of Willian's ilk as being the water carrier in a team. Far from being a criticism, it's perhaps one of the biggest compliments you can pay someone like Willian.
That's where Cuadrado has fallen foul. He hasn't performed for Chelsea yet, and in order to make an impression, he needs to show the same sort of desire. When he does, he'll earn Mourinho's trust.
When he does, Cuadrado will start more games.
Willian's set the standard, though, and it's going to be a massive task for anyone to usurp him.
Garry Hayes is Bleacher Report's lead Chelsea correspondent. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @garryhayes
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