Arsenal

[Transfer Targets] Profile Of £12m Winger Willian – Is He Good Enough?

Brazilian winger Wilian has linked himself with a move to the Premier League by claiming he would love to join any one of the top 6 sides, but is he good enough?

by
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August 20, 2011

The Daily Mail have cornered Shakhtar Donetsk winger Willian during his holidays and extracted some quotes from him pertaining to the player wanting a move to London. But can Denilson’s fellow Sao Paolo native (grimace) Willian Borges da Silva make an impression in the Premier League if he were to move to England?

What’s his pedigree?: Willian is a fixture of a strong Shakhtar side, having notched up 28 goals and 39 assists in his 184 games with the Ukrainian outfit after signing him for £12.3 million from Brazilian side Corinthians in 2007. Having won all the domestic trophies in Ukraine as well as the 2009 UEFA Cup, the 23-year-old winger is used to physical matches and has a stocky 5’9″ frame; however, right-footed Willian is not rated highly by Brazil and is yet to make his debut for the senior side after earning 11 caps at under-20 level. Willian possesses qualities not traditionally associated with a Brazilian forward, such as good tracking back and creativity, and this helps justify his selection on the left side of a powerful Shakhtar front three which beat Arsenal in last years Champions League.

How’s the chemistry?: Many papers quote Willian as a play-maker, but this is wholly unjustified considering the fact he categorically never plays down the middle and so relies on service from midfield before he can advance on the ball. The Brazilian’s lack of versatility may put off the Gunners who tend to sign players who can play a variety of positions but there is no doubting his quality and potential as an explosive winger – he has impressed many in Europe already, with Benfica having a bid turned down by the Ukrainian champions last week.

Do we have a chance?: Willian has been very vocal regarding a possible move:

“The league is one of the best and there are some great clubs here: Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City. Clubs with big players who play attractive football. I like Chelsea and Arsenal’s styles a lot. I’d be very happy to play for Tottenham too and help get them back into the Champions League. They’re a very big club.”

Connections to Willian have been tenuous, with reports as early as June the only real indicator of a move to Arsenal but he has also been linked with both Liverpool and Spurs this summer.

Likely bid: £12 million. Probability: 3/10, Arsenal should have no interest.