WILL CHELSEA REALLY LET WIZARD WILLIAN WALK AWAY IN ONLY THREE WEEKS?

IT IS illustrative of how highly Frank Lampard regards Willian that the Brazilian has started in all five of Chelsea’s matches since football restarted. The 31-year-old winger has been the club’s most productive attacking player since the resumption, with four goals — all from set pieces — and an assist. It takes his tally for the season to 11, behind only Tammy Abraham, while only captain Cesar Azpilicueta and Mason Mount have started more games. So, with all that in mind, it is unfathomable that Willian will leave Stamford Bridge in three weeks. Talks over an extension are at a standstill. Three weeks is a long time in football, of course. More performances like those during Project Restart and who knows, Chelsea may yet return to the table. The view from inside Stamford Bridge is they are willing to offer him a two-year extension. Willian, given his clear importance to Lampard, believes he is worth an extra 12 months. On the evidence of his recent performances, a three-year contract doesn’t feel like he’s asking for the Earth. No wonder London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham are both moving themselves into position to strike. There is a logic to Chelsea’s stance. Christian Pulisic is starting to produce the kind of displays that appear to make him the rightful heir to Eden Hazard’s vacated throne. Callum Hudson-Odoi has had a difficult season, on and off the pitch, but at 19 the England international is Chelsea’s future. Hakim Ziyech will arrive from Ajax next season, while Chelsea are hot in pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen’s Kai Havertz. If all goes according to plan, Lampard will be well stocked for attacking midfielders

next term. But surely there’s room for Willian? Lampard, given his reliance on his former team-mate, certainly appears to think so. Once again he was at the forefront of Chelsea’s latest victory against Watford on Saturday night, notching from the spot in a 3-0 win. But more than just his goal, his influence on Lampard’s team remains tangible; his incisive passing and running still as integral to Chelsea as it was when he arrived in 2013. Once the dust settles, Chelsea’s season will be characterised by the emergence of Lampard’s fledglings. Mount, Abraham, Hudson-Odoi, Reece James, Billy Gilmour and Fikayo Tomori mean Chelsea’s future is incredibly bright. But, at the business end of the season, it is Chelsea’s old guard dragging them over the line. Olivier Giroud, who looked to be leaving the club in January, bagged his second goal since the restart in this cruise against Watford. Giroud, 33, and Willian are far and away two of the club’s elder statesmen. Azpilicueta was the only other thirty-something to start on Saturday. With Champions League qualification at stake Lampard needs results now, and Chelsea’s older contingent are timing their run to perfection. ‘I think it was always going to be important for the experienced players to play a big part,’ said Lampard. ‘Academy players coming through is always a really good story but you need the balance. As the season goes on, that’s when you rely on experienced players. ‘Players like Willian and Giroud — the experienced players help the young players and the young players need to realise there are levels they need to meet to improve.’ Another experienced member of Lampard’s squad, Ross Barkley, looks to be peaking just at the right time. He added the third goal against the Hornets and after an inconsistent Blues career so far, the midfielder appears to be winning his manager over. ‘Ross has been absolutely dedicated to the cause during and before lockdown,’ Lampard added. ‘There’s more to come but his attitude has been first class.’