Willian fails to shine on wild night for the Blues
Brazilian not delivering when his side need him most, writes Matt Law at Stamford Bridge
In America, they call it the contract-year phenomenon and Willian has certainly been doing everything he can to earn a new Chelsea deal. But in the chaos of the incredible Champions League fightback against Ajax, the Brazilian found himself upstaged.
Amid all the excitement over the academy graduates, Frank Lampard had described Willian as the Blues’ best player of the season after the victory over Southampton last month.
But when Lampard and Chelsea really needed their number 10 to show all of his pedigree on Tuesday night, the contrasting performances of Willian and Hakim Ziyech demonstrated why this should be the 31-year-old’s final Stamford Bridge season.
While Willian failed to impose himself on the match or pick a key pass, Ziyech carved Chelsea open with his wand of a left foot until Ajax hit the self-destruct button.
That is not to say Chelsea should not offer Willian a contract. In fact, as they did with David Luiz, the club would be clever to hand him a new deal and then sell him as there would still be a market for the winger that could earn the Blues upwards of £10million.
Willian arrived at Chelsea in 2013, the summer after Eden
Hazard, and was forced to operate in the Belgian’s shadow until this season. He has made a big impact, scoring key goals, but the pressure to turn games and single-handedly win matches always lay elsewhere.
When Chelsea found themselves with a mountain to climb against Ajax, it was teenage substitutes Reece James and Callum Hudsonodoi who helped to inspire the comeback rather than Willian.
Having taken Hazard’s number, Willian has generally responded well to being given more responsibility in Lampard’s young side, but his best games have come against weaker opposition.
The performance that really got
Lampard raving was against a Southampton team who have since lost 9-0 to Leicester City and Willian’s three goals have come against Brighton, Lille and Burnley.
That is all fine, but Lampard has needed more from Willian in the defeats by Valencia, Liverpool and now the stunning draw with Ajax – games in which Hazard would have no doubt revelled.
Despite making more than 300 appearances for Chelsea and winning two Premier League titles, Willian divides opinion among the club’s fans between those who will always love him for turning down Tottenham Hotspur and those who become easily frustrated by him.
That frustration manifested itself in a chorus of groans in the first half, when Willian carried the ball out of defence but then played a pass that was too heavy for Christian Pulisic. It is his final ball, whether a pass or a shot, that is often criticised.
The Stamford Bridge crowd, which did not contain any Ajax fans, chanted for Hudson-odoi, who was among the substitutes, and also watched in wonder at the delivery of Ziyech.
Chelsea could not cope with the Moroccan’s left boot. His cross from which Quincy Promes restored Ajax’s lead at the back post was almost as good as
Jorginho’s brilliant assist against Watford.
And Ziyech’s moment of real brilliance came in the 35th minute, when he whipped a free-kick over Kepa Arrizabalaga and the ball rebounded off the inside of the post, smashed the goalkeeper in the face and hit the back of the net.
When Chelsea came flying out of the traps for the second half, it was substitute James, Tammy Abraham and Pulisic who caused panic in the Ajax defence.
Hudson-odoi was handed his chance when he replaced the injured Mason Mount and the 18-year-old took it.
After Cesar Azpiliceuta had pulled what looked like a consolation goal back, Hudsonodoi fired a shot that hit the hand of Joel Veltman and won Chelsea their second penalty of the evening that was duly scored by Jorginho.
Veltman and Daley Blind were both sent off and, up against nine men, Chelsea got their equaliser when James showed superb composure to smash the ball into the net after Kurt Zouma had headed against the crossbar.
It was breathless stuff and yet, instead of being in the thick of the drama, Willian was out on the periphery.
It may be time for a long goodbye.