‘Absolutely excellent’: Sky Sports pundit thinks player Arsenal axed last year is a ‘man reborn’

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Alan Smith has hailed Willian after his performance for Fulham in their 0-0 draw with Everton on Saturday evening.

Marco Silva’s men created so many chances against Everton but it just wouldn’t go in.

That was one night of frustration but this has been a strong start to the season from Fulham and much better than their recent Premier League attempts.

A strong summer window has contributed to that start with Silva focusing on adding proven Premier League players.

Alan Smith has hailed Willian

Bernd Leno, Andreas Pereira, Issa Diop, Carlos Vinicius, Shane Duffy, Daniel James and Kevin Mbabu have all played in the Premier League before.

Sprinkle in newcomers Joao Palhinha, Manor Solomon and Layvin Kurzawa, and Fulham appear to have the foundations of a good side.

There was also the addition of Willian, which came as something of a surprise.

The 34-year-old had been a Premier League star with Chelsea, racking up 39 goals in 234 league outings for the Blues.

A 2020 move to Arsenal proved to be a disaster though as Willian failed to live up to his billing after signing a lucrative deal.

Willian ripped up his Arsenal contract in August 2021 and headed back to Brazil with Corinthians.

Few would have expected to see Willian in Premier League action again but Fulham swooped in to give him a one-year deal after leaving Corinthians.

The veteran has has been outstanding of late and that continued against Everton.

Willian racked up four key passes and three shots on target against the Toffees, doing everything he possibly could to try and beat Jordan Pickford.

Willian is enjoying something of a renaissance just over a year since Arsenal let him go and former Gunner Alan Smith has now praised him.

Speaking to Sky Sports (29/10, 7:20pm), Smith suggested that Willian was ‘absolutely excellent’ both on and off the ball.

Smith added that Willian looks like a ‘man reborn’ after those Arsenal struggles, naming him as the man of the match at Craven Cottage.

“I think he’s been absolutely excellent,” said Smith. “He’s kept on pushing all night, done his fair share of defensive work as well, seen loads of the ball. A man reborn really,” he added.