According to ESPN Brasil, Arsenal have offered Willian a contract and they hope to announce his signing in the coming days.
Willian had always insisted that he’d remain with Chelsea, only if the club give him a three-year deal, whereas Chelsea were not keen on giving him more than the two-year deal offered from the start of the campaign.
There have been so many arguments on who’s right and wrong in the Willian saga, but after watching the FA Cup final, I’d tend to insist that the Blues might have gotten it wrong this time.
For the FA Cup final clash, Chelsea started the game brightly, and the Blues could have won if Christian Pulisic had remained on the pitch. The moment the Brazilian got injured and left the pitch, it was the end of the game for Chelsea. The threat and creativity of the team ended.
Big teams fighting for trophies do not only have a strong starting eleven, but at least 15 top players that can make things happen.
Pulisic has been a revelation since the restart of the season, and credit must be given to him for the role he played in making Chelsea reach the final of the FA Cup and also making top four. Many would argue that Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner will make the squad stronger next season, which is true.
However, one thing we must be certain of is that injuries occur. Pulisic for example is prone to injury, as we’ve seen this season, and ahead of next season, the American and Hakim Ziyech, will be the top wingers at the club. Timo Werner is expected to play a striking role.
Besides Pulisic and Ziyech, Chelsea would have Callum Hudson-Odoi as the only other recognised winger, and the youngster has looked a shadow of himself since the injury he suffered that kept him out of action for so long.
Heading into next season, Chelsea will definitely have a strong starting team, but what happens when the injuries start to creep in? It may look like the Blues would be okay due to incoming signings, but the FA Cup final has painted a bitter truth about the future.
Willian still has a couple of years in him and hasn’t shown signs of slowing down, and it might be to Chelsea’s loss to lose the Brazilian for free. Give him a three-year deal, and if you want to sell him after two years, the club won’t be short of offers. It’s a win-win for the player and the club.