Brazilian Willian Borges da Silva is an attacking midfield and wing player who has had success so far with Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk and English Premier League side Chelsea. Currently back with Brazilian team Corinthians, where he started his career, we take a look at some of the top quotes about Willian.
Called up as a late replacement for the injured Neymar, Willian helped Brazil to win the 2019 Copa America in their own country.
Having begun his career in Brazil, Willian moved to Shakhtar in 2007 and proceeded to win the Premier League four times, the Cup competition three times, and the UEFA Cup in 2009, the club’s first ever European trophy.
His move to Chelsea cost the club £30 million, and his seven seasons with the team saw two Premier League, one FA Cup, and one Europa League triumph. The majority of the 63 goals he scored for the side came from his speciality in taking and netting directly from free-kicks. In fact, he was the top free-kick scorer in Europe during the 2015/16 season.
After a brief and difficult tenure with Arsenal, Willian decided to move back to Corinthians in 2021. Out of the 70 internationals he has played so far, Willian has represented Brazil in two World Cup tournaments.
With his technical ability, he has shown his prowess in the ‘feints’ and ‘elastico’ movements, where he has been able to fool the defender whilst dribbling with the ball.
“I’ve played with him, coached him, he’s a fantastic man and a fantastic player.”
Frank Lampard (Chelsea manager)
“Willian is a super player…..his intelligence is there for all to see.”
Danny Murphy (television pundit)
“The Brazilian is now an elder statesman at Stamford Bridge and the perfect candidate to bring the Chelsea youngsters through…..He is also the best player in the team.”
Garth Crooks (television pundit)
“Willian has the potential to have this type of performance in every match, I hope to see this every time…..When you play in this way the coach doesn’t have doubts that you play.”
Antonio Conte (Chelsea manager)
“…..he is a player that gives us a lot of versatility, he can play in three or four different positions. He has the experience of everything in the football world.”
Mikel Arteta (Arsenal manager)
“He has a lot of fantastic attributes as a person, as a football player of course, his character.”
Edu (Arsenal technical director)
“Forget Eden Hazard – is Willian actually Chelsea’s most skillful player?”
Jim Daly (football journalist)
“It’s good it’s a Brazilian…..I’m being remembered by what Willian has achieved; he has everything to beat the record.”
Juninho
“…..he has been fantastic. He’s taken it up to another level.”
Gary Cahill (Chelsea player)
“…..fighting spirit and leadership…..Willian’s versatility and flexibility…..”
fourfourtwo (website)
“…..he was brilliant for me there because I knew that his natural attributes, when you get him really fit and he feels like he’s the main man, he’ll be jumping from one side (to the other).”
Frank Lampard
“He has very special qualities…..He is much better than me, he is much fitter than me!”
Mikel Arteta