Chelsea playmaker Willian should still be considered “one of the most gifted players in the Premier League”, according to BBC Sport pundit Garth Crooks.
The Brazilian has struggled for form under new manager Maurizio Sarri this campaign as Chelsea battle for a top-four finish in the Premier League.
Is Willian among the best in the Premier League? Five key things to know…
- The 30-year-old joined Chelsea in 2013 from Russian outfit Anzhi Makhachkala for £30 million.
- Since then, the tricky winger has made 268 appearances for the Blues in all competitions.
- He has scored 49 goals in this time, averaging a goal every 5.46 games.
- Despite his ability, Willian has struggled at times this season, scoring and assisting just three times in 21 Premier League appearances.
- Last season, the Brazilian was heavily linked with a move to La Liga giants Barcelona but the move did not materialise.
The west London club defeated Premier League strugglers Newcastle United 2-1 at Stamford Bridge last week, with Willian ultimately scoring the winner as his neat second-half strike sealed the three points for Sarri’s side.
Crooks believes that Willian possesses undoubted quality but fails to showcase it on a regular basis.
“I have always thought that Willian is one of the most gifted players in the Premier League,” Crooks told the BBC.
“I go to Stamford Bridge a lot, but don’t see enough of what I know he can do.”
Crooks admits that he is hoping Willian’s goal against Newcastle will spark life into the 30-year-old’s season and inject a much-needed boost into his performances on the pitch.
He added: “The goal he scored against Newcastle was just a glimpse of the quality that the Brazilian possesses. We’ve seen him score goals like that on a number of occasions for Chelsea.
“However, I want to see the Brazilian dictate the play and sadly I haven’t seen much of that this season. Maybe the goal against Newcastle will be the catalyst.”
How Willian compares to Hazard
As Crooks indicated, Willian is a player who can produce magic on any given moment but fails to do so week-in-week-out, especially this season.
Just five goals and five assists in 27 matches throughout both the Premier League and Europa League this season goes to show that the Brazilian is way off the standards being set by Belgium superstar and Chelsea colleague Eden Hazard.
Hazard has scored 10 and provided 10 assists in 21 Premier League matches – almost a direct involvement in every game so far – and currently betters Willian’s Premier League record by a total of 14 (Hazard’s 20 compared to Willian’s six).
At this point in his career, the 30-year-old should be playing at his peak but seems to be struggling to do just that.
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