Chelsea have confirmed their latest signing of the summer with Brazilian attacker Willian signing for the Stamford Bridge club, but question...
Chelsea have confirmed their latest signing of the summer with Brazilian attacker Willian signing for the Stamford Bridge club, but questions can be asked over whether the player has made the right move this summer.
Willian joined from Anzhi Makhachkala for £30 million on a five-year deal and has being allocated the No. 22 shirt.
the Brazilian had the option of joining Spurs, where he had a medical before joining Chelsea, while Liverpool were also in the frame for his signature originally.
The new Blues recruit established himself as a threat in European football while playing for Shakhtar Donetsk in the Ukrainian top flight and the Champions League before he moved to Anzhi in January. His stint in Russia has been cut short, however, by the Dagestan club's need to bring in funds after owner Suleyman Kerimov opted to stop lavishly funding the side.
The Premier League quickly came calling, and while it is probable that Willian has joined the best-equipped of the three teams to try to win the league title, it is also inarguable that he has opted for the side where he could get the least amount of game time. This may prove to be a wrong move by the 25 year old and here are three reasons why.
HE CHOSE THE WRONG CLUB?
Where Liverpool are known to be looking for a left-sided attacker to add to their first XI on a weekly basis, and Tottenham are seeking to replace Gareth Bale with a quality, pacy attacker, Chelsea are stockpiling a final-third player in an already overcrowded squad. Would you prefer joining a club where your place is guaranteed or another where you will struggle for playing time? I leave you to judge. Let's move on.
BATTLE FOR STARTING BERTH
To the "Matazar" trio that shone so brightly last season—consisting of Juan Mata, Eden Hazard and Oscar—has been added to with Van Ginkel and Schurrle, while Kevin de Bruyne and Michael Essien have both been recalled from their loans spells.
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| Willian Faces Stiff Competition For A Starting Berth |
Frank Lampard and Ramires, while certainly more "central" midfielders than out-and-out attacking ones, are also capable of filling those roles, and Victor Moses also remains at Stamford Bridge.
Add in Willian, and that gives Chelsea at least eight players battling for the three roles behind and beside a central striker
Although it is very possible for Mourinho to offload at least one or two of those names, it still leaves Willian in the unenviable position of facing a direct battle with Hazard for a place on the left, his regular role with Shakhtar and Anzhi.
He can play centrally, of course, but again, in that position he faces huge competition for time on the pitch.
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| Chelsea XI Comprising Of Midfielders |
HEAVY PRICE TAG
Willian has signed a long-term contract, so Chelsea clearly see him as being an important player for now and the future, but if he takes a while to settle into his new team, he could quickly find himself marginalised if others hit the ground running under Jose Mourinho.
A £30 million investment is a very heavy investment. The presssure and expectation that comes with such price heavy price tag is a big concern to any player and with records of big name signings failing to flourish at Stamford Bridge (Shevchenko, Torres, Ballack, Deco, Wright Phillips), Willian may have one or two doubts.
Don't get me wrong though, I'm not questioning his quality. He is a fantastic player and a tremendous option going forward but we have seen good players failing to gel when they join a new club; that is my fear for Willian.
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