Ian Wright says he thought ‘it was over’ for Willian when he left Arsenal in 2021, but he is now surprised at the ex-Chelsea man’s turnaround.
The 34-year-old is donning the colours of European-chasing Fulham and Wright added that Marco Silva is getting an ‘unbelievable tune’ out of the speedster.
After leaving Arsenal during the summer of 2021, when Mikel Arteta and Edu Gaspar agreed to rip up the player’s contract, he headed back to his homeland.
That’s where Willian joined Corinthians, and just like his spell at the Emirates, this was also proving to be a nightmare move.
Given that the 70-cap international was in his mid-30s, it could have been argued that he was just coming to the end of his career and retirement was on the cards.
But that’s when former Everton boss Marco Silva, after helping Fulham earn promotion, came swooping in and, as Wright mentioned, he is doing a fantastic job and Willian is proof of that, as he told Premier League Productions (06/03/23 at 7:35 pm).
“I think if you look at Fulham’s team,” said Wright. “With him (Marco Silva) now, maybe with a point to prove, especially with what happened to him at Everton. He went there in a blaze of glory.
“You look at Antonee Robinson on the left. He’s a very good player. Then there is Palhinha. He is getting an unbelievable tune out of Willian, who I thought it was over for when he left Arsenal.”
WILLIAN STILL SHOWING HE HAS LIFE
This is huge credit to Willian for picking himself up from the canvas because his last two spells were serious knockout blows.
And he didn’t just join a thriving team where he can jump on the bandwagon. But a newly-promoted side that have seriously struggled the last two occasions they have been in the Premier League.
Willian has three goals and three assists to his name this season, including scoring against Chelsea, as Fulham currently occupy a European place.
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