Willian produced another magnificent display to inspire Brazil to a World Cup last 16 victory on Monday and his transfer value must be soaring. The dynamic winger is 29 years of age now, but that has not stopped Chelsea from putting a £70 million price tag on his head. Barcelona are interested in taking him to the Nou Camp, while Jose Mourinho has long craved a Willian reunion and wants to sign him for Man Utd. The big question is: should Chelsea keep hold of a player in brilliant form, or cash in and use the money to rebuild?
It is understandable to see why Barcelona want to snap him up. He was electric against Ernesto Valverde’s men in the Champions League last season, and he has been on fire at the World Cup. Keeping the likes of Roberto Firmino and Douglas Costa out of the Brazil side is an impressive feat, and Willian has rewarded Tite’s trust in him with some scintillating performances. He ran rings around Mexico in the second half of their game, linking up well with Neymar to inspire his team to an emphatic victory.
He could still play a vital role for Chelsea as they bid to break back into the top four of the Premier League and challenge for the title. But nowadays the Blues have to balance new signings by offloading players, and Willian is among a group of first team stars that might have to go. Thibaut Courtois, David Luiz and Danny Drinkwater are all heavily linked with moves away from Stamford Bridge, and that would allow the club to go out and sign Alisson, Daniel Rugani and Aleksandr Golovin, who has lit up the World Cup with some sensational performances for Russia.
Offloading Willian could allow Chelsea to bring in an exciting attacking talent, and a younger player that inject fresh dynamism into the squad. Yet offloading established stars is a risky strategy. Chelsea missed Nemanja Matic after he was sold to Man Utd last season, as replacement Timoue Bakayoko flopped, the Blues were often overrun in midfield and they finished fifth.
Willian fell out with Antonio Conte, but his quality is undeniable. Maurizio Sarri may want to bring in Dries Mertens from Napoli for that right-sided berth in the starting 11, and it would make sense to sell Willian if it would allow Chelsea to bring in the talented Belgian. He is a very good player and useful at set pieces, but he is not untouchable like Eden Hazard and he does not really score enough goals. Mertens has been banging them in for fun in Serie A and he would sharpen Chelsea’s attacking options.
They need to do something in order to catch up with Man City and keep pace with the likes of Liverpool, Man Utd and Spurs. Check out a review of Ladbrokes and find the best odds on the market from a reputable bookmaker, and you will see that the Blues are 20/1 outsiders to win the title next season. Man City are 4/6 favourites, Liverpool are 11/2, Man Utd are 7/1 and Tottenham are 18/1, showing just how far Chelsea have fallen in the pecking order.
But they have developed a habit of winning the title every other year, and they could surprise a few people in 2018/19. Yet they need reinforcements to pull it off. N’Golo Kante came in and led the Blues to the title in 2016/17, and Chelsea need more superstars like that. If they have to sell Willian to make it happen, then so be it. Many fans would be sad to see him go, but if it helped lead them back to the summit of English football they would quickly change their tune.