Why Willian could be the man to spark Chelsea’s revival

The 27-year-old was the catalyst in Brazil's first win in World Cup qualifying and has strengthened his case to become the midfield figurehead for Jose Mourinho.

Brazil and Dunga were on the ropes. They’d failed once again. After a fine opening 40 minutes to their World Cup qualifying opener against Chile last week, a tactical switch from Jorge Sampaoli blunted the Selecao’s thrust down the flanks. And with no centre forward to add a finish touch to all Douglas Costa and Willian’s early wing-play, Chile regained control and ran out 2-0 winners in Santiago.

The five-time world champions, without their captain and talisman Neymar, looked every bit the team that had crashed out of the Copa America at the hands of Paraguay.

While Brazil have marched to 12 consecutive friendly victories since World Cup 2014, Dunga’s side have been wildly inconsistent in their competitive matches since that 7-1 shellacking from which the they are still reeling.

On Tuesday night against Venezuela, Brazil had to win. Dunga needed a saviour. It took just 40 seconds for one to step forward. And it came as no surprise that it would be old Mr reliable: Willian.

Venezuela goalkeeper Alain Baroja should have stopped his fierce drive, but the goal was a fitting reward for the thrust Willian provides a coach so obsessed with counter-attacking at pace.

The Chelsea midfielder has started every match under Dunga, aside from March’s victory over Chile when a number of first-team regulars were rested. He was probably Brazil’s best player against Chile; he’s arguably been their best player since the World Cup.

With Neymar suspended, Douglas Costa was tipped by the Brazilian media to be Dunga’s ‘showman’ this month. But the Bayern Munich man has been upstaged.

Having earned his place in the side for his indefatigable running and willing to track back and close down, Willian has grown in stature over recent months, taking more responsibility in possession.

Ten minutes after his opener, the 27-year-old drifted inside to assist a central midfield that, by design, sorely lacks any semblance of creativity. He played a quick one-two, strolled on and rolled a wonderful, defence-splitting pass to set Filipe Luis free down the left – his square should have been converted by Ricardo Oliveria.

Three minutes before half-time, Willian pounced again to double the lead and allow Dunga to breathe a well overdue sigh of relief.



Oscar had repeatedly played poor final passes to break down a number of Willian-inspired counter-attacks against Chile, but this time he did his Chelsea colleague proud, expertly allowing Filipe Luis’ low cross to run through his legs for the onrushing Willian, who finished with power and precision.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho may not have sat up until 4am to watch a long overdue return to form for Brazil, but he will no doubt be aware of Willian’s impact. Having made their worst start to the season in 37 years, the Portuguese needs a saviour of his own.

And with the likes of Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas failing to reproduce anything like the form they showed last season, Mourinho could well find one should he let Willian off the leash and hand him a more responsibility in leading Chelsea’s misfiring attack.

Since recovering from a reportedly unwanted move to Anzhi in 2013, the former Shakhtar Donetsk man has established himself for club and country through grit, desire and a self-sacrifice in order to provide whatever his manager asks of him.

Now he’s proving a difference-maker – at a time when both Brazil and Chelsea could really do with one.