4 Areas for Chelsea's Willian to Improve in 2015/16 Season

He's one of Chelsea's key players, but ask Willian, and like any player, he'll admit there are facets to his game that need improvement.

Since arriving at Stamford Bridge in 2013, Willian has endeared himself to Chelsea fans for many reasons.

Formerly top of that list was the fact he snubbed a transfer to Tottenham Hotspur at the 11th hour in favour of joining Chelsea, but since then he has shown himself to be a unique talent.

Willian is a strong all-rounder, with his work rate on the right side of midfield complementing the style and talents of others such as Eden Hazard and Oscar.

Given his past, we know Willian is much more than just a workhorse, however.

He comes with a bag of tricks, and with some improvements in key areas, he has the potential to take his game to the next level.

Bleacher Report looks at some improvements Willian can make to prove a real difference to Chelsea in 2015/16.

Provide Jose Mourinho with Another Option at No. 10

Rui Vieira/Associated Press

When Chelsea faced Shakhtar Donetsk in the 2012/13 Champions League, the Blues were reigning European champions.

To Willian, that fact mattered little. Playing through the middle, he caused Chelsea plenty of problems both times they faced each other; he even scored twice at Stamford Bridge.

His brace wasn't enough to get Shakhtar a result that night—they lost 3-2 thanks to Victor Moses' 90th-minute winner—but he showed what he was capable of.

Willian was much more than a goal threat in that defeat. He operated between the lines, found space well and was excellent in bringing those around him into play.

The Brazilian did everything a No. 10 is supposed to, and he set down a marker for what he is capable of.

If we're judging him solely on his creative output, that performance is probably his best at Stamford Bridge, topping everything he has done in a Chelsea shirt.

He was a real menace, whereas he has adapted his game so much in England that we've forgotten how effective he can be in that No. 10 role.

There have been moments he has shown glimpses of that, so if Willian can repeat his form and give Jose Mourinho more options through the middle, it'll strengthen Chelsea all the more.

It'll allow for Juan Cuadrado (if he ever produces the goods) to play wide right more often, giving players such as Oscar and Cesc Fabregas rest at times in the season when rotation is required.

Be a Bigger Threat in the Champions League

Matt Dunham/Associated Press

Chelsea's Champions League campaign ended with a whimper last season as they crashed out to Paris Saint-Germain.

Their exit was one of the few blemishes on an otherwise memorable season at Stamford Bridge.

The reasons for that away-goals defeat to PSG have been discussed at length since, with Chelsea's lack of threat in attack a big reason for it.

It was the story as a whole in Europe for Chelsea, where they didn't carry a big enough menace. They cruised through their group, but given their opponents, it was to be expected. Against PSG, they were found wanting.

Of the key players who weren't at their best was Willian—he wasn't clinical enough.

Sure, statistics don't tell the full story about performances, yet when Willian's are compared to his Premier League efforts, a pattern appears.

Willian was a threat in domestic competition, averaging just shy of two shots on goal per league game last term, being fouled on average 1.5 times.

The fouls alone demonstrate how he was involved in more attacking movements, forcing defenders into mistakes.

In Europe, though, it was a different story. He had less than one shot at goal per game (0.7) and was fouled an average of just 0.4 times per game.

Willian played in all but one of Chelsea's eight Champions League games.

For the reasons above with his Premier League form, it shows he wasn't as influential as he can be.

Willian needs to get those key stats up in Europe, so he can be a bigger threat to opponents and share the load of Chelsea's attacking responsibilities.

Stats: WhoScored.com

Be More Effective Coming off the Bench

Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press

Willian made 13 appearances as a substitute for Chelsea last season, but he only stood out in one of those matches.

That came against Watford in the third round of the FA Cup, when Willian changed the complexion of the game.

Chelsea had been wasteful in attack in the first half, yet within 13 minutes of his introduction at the interval, Chelsea were ahead thanks to his wonderful strike. They eventually won the game 3-0.

It was a moment when Willian confirmed his seniority at Chelsea, showing he was a player Jose Mourinho could turn to in times of need.

That said, he didn't do that enough in an attacking sense.

Willian's substitute appearances were mainly to help close games out, which remains an equally valuable trait to give his manager.

When things are tight in matches, though, the Special One needs to be able to look at his bench and feel inspired by what he sees.

Too often Chelsea lacked that spark. There are an abundance of players in Mourinho's squad who are capable of helping shut games down—it's going forward where they aren't as spoiled for choice.

First and foremost, Willian is an attacking midfielder, so he needs to give that creative option whenever he is a substitute.

Score More Goals

Tim Ireland/Associated Press

It sounds like such a generic improvement for any attacking player—score more goals and they'll add more value.

Only in Willian's case, it's particularly legitimate.

The Brazilian is rightly celebrated for how his all-round game is vital to Chelsea. He works hard for his team-mates, rarely lacking in endeavour and commitment and often providing shape and solidity.

Playing on the right side of Chelsea's three attacking midfielders, he doesn't score enough goals, though.

He finished with just four last season, which is a significantly lower number than fellow attackers Eden Hazard and Oscar.

Sure, he operates a different role, but Willian still finds himself in positions where he should convert chances.

He can be wasteful in front of goal, which needs to change. If it does, the dynamic of Mourinho's attacking midfield will be improved dramatically with it.

Garry Hayes is Bleacher Report's lead Chelsea correspondent. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter: @garryhayes.