Blues manager Frank Lampard has put Willian’s future in the hands of the Chelsea officials but hopes the in-form winger will be rewarded with a new contract in the near future.
The Brazil international has made quite a compelling case for a contract extension with his performances so far and his Willian’s current deal with the west London outfit expires next summer
The 31-year-old winger assisted for teammate Tammy Abraham’s opening goal during the weekend win over Crystal Palace and has scored in victories against Brighton and Hove Albion, Lille and Burnley this season regaining some of that lost confidence.
Willian’s experienced performances have eased the pressure on the younger members of Lampard’s squad and the Chelsea boss made his appreciation clear following Saturday’s 2-0 triumph at Stamford Bridge over their local London rivals but Lampard also admitted the final decision on fresh terms will not be his to make.
The 41-year-old Lampard was asked by journalists about the current situation on Willian’s contract and the former England midfielder replied by saying that he wants Willian to remain at Stamford Bridge, “The word isn’t ‘no-brainer’ because I can’t get involved in the money. That’s up to the club to do. But everyone sees how much I’m relying on him and picking him and, in what he is producing; I love him at this football club. So there’s my answer”
La Liga giants Barcelona were interested in the services of Willian off late and Chelsea had to turn down the advances of the Spanish champions last season. Lampard though continued to explain why he wants the Brazilian to remain at Chelsea, “Willy is a happy, easygoing lad who loves his football and that was the first thing I said to him at the start of the season. I saw him being huge in the way I wanted to play. Naturally, on the ball, we all know his ability to go by [markers] one-v-one and shift people and cross or get shots away. But his off-the-ball work is an outstanding example for Callum Hudson-Odoi, for Christian Pulisic, for other young players who think the only part of the game is going by people, crossing or shooting.”
