Scout Reports

Scout Report – Willian

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho added to his multitude of attacking midfield talents this afternoon with the acquisition of Willian from Russian outfit Anzhi on a five-year contract. Having undergone a medical with Tottenham last week, the 25-year-old’s change of heart sees him roll up to Stamford Bridge instead, with the Blues shelling out a reported £32m for his services. The Brazilian is the fourth player to arrive at the club this summer, following the capture of Andre Schurrle, Marco Van Ginkel and Mark Schwarzer:

After receiving a work permit earlier today, the midfielder sat down with the club’s official website to talk about his expectations for the season ahead:

“I intend to help the team as much as I can in order to be successful. I want to train hard, work hard and give everything to earn my place in the side. This is a very strong team with great players. I hope I am going to start matches very strongly and help the team do the best we can, whether that’s through scoring goals, creating chances or defending.”

The History

A product of the Corinthians youth system, Willian’s career began back in 2006. Over the course of two seasons, he produced two goals and a pair of assists from 16 first-team appearances before making his way to Shakhtar Donetsk in the summer of 2007.

After a slow start (two assists in 20 appearances in his first term), the playmaker gradually found his feet and registered 10 goals and 10 assists over 51 matches in the next two years. The following couple of campaigns saw Willian flourish as a creative force – while he only notched eight goals over 20101/11 and 2011/12, his 26 assists were crucial to his side’s success.

Last year harvested two goals and six assists from 14 appearances for Shakhtar before Anzhi came calling midway through the season, with a €35m too good to refuse. Willian managed a single goal and four assists over 11 matches but with the Anzhi owners keen to offload many of their big-money buys, he was sold on after just seven months at the club.

The Prospects

The Brazilian’s arrival merely compounds matters as Fantasy managers attempt to get a handle on Mourinho’s selection policy. So far, Eden Hazard and Oscar have started all three of Chelsea’s league games under the Portuguese boss but, as Mourinho’s decision to field Schurrle up top for the opening 60 minutes against United on Monday showed, any given Gameweek has the potential to hand us an unexpected surprise .

With Kevin De Bruyne and Juan Mata also vying for contention, many may even choose to simply opt out of snapping up a Blues midfielder. The numerous options available to the Chelsea boss hint at a degree of rotation potentially greater than any other club in the league, with plenty of more secure options on offer elsewhere.

Tellingly, Mourinho spoke of ”mobility” being key to his starting selection at Old Trafford – perhaps a damning indictment of the likes of Demba Ba and Romelu Lukaku but certainly positive for Willian. A pacey, dynamic player, he was mainly utilised on the left of a 4-2-3-1 at Shakhtar but shifted to the right and centre of the same tactical set-up at Anzhi, offering options right across the three attacking midfield positions.

As the stats showed, Willian is hardly renowned for his goalscoring prowess, though, with five strikes his highest haul in any season over those years in the Ukraine. Likely to come in around 8.5 to 9.5 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL), it seems that the Brazilian could be alternated on a game-to-game basis, either starting or climbing off the bench with no real consistency of selection – Mourinho’s use of Schurrle, De Bruyne and Mata has already proven we can take nothing for granted.

Frustratingly, a move to Tottenham would surely have handed us a real contender for our five-man midfields. A role in “the hole” behind Roberto Soldado in light of Gareth Bale’s expected departure looked a hugely enticing proposition; at Stamford Bridge, however, Willian, for all his undoubted abilities, simply looks in danger of getting lost amongst the crowd.

Further Reference

Willian Wikipedia

Willian Transfer Markt Page

Willian You Tube

Paul Is certain he won't make the same mistakes next season. Follow them on Twitter

585 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Anyone else got people in their mini-league that have 3 Chelsea players and appear clueless of the impending blank game week?

    Licking my lips 😀

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    1. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      I've had to tell a few people in my mini-league. Also had to tell them about the DGW at the start.

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    2. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      of the 3 guys above me in my ML

      one has 2 x Chelsea and 2 x Villa
      one has 2 x Chelsea and 3 x Villa

      one no show and both are in trouble

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    3. 5678
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Is it really that fun to play against competition that poor?

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      1. The Sarjeant
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        It is when 13 of you have put in £20 each!

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        1. Bubz
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 7 months ago

          haha I'm exactly the same. 20 quid on it

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      2. Bubz
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        When it is for money, yes!

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    4. The Sarjeant
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Yes! And some also have 1 or 2 injured! Easily jump up a few places this GW

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    5. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Surely they've planned this with the wildcard in mind?

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      1. Bubz
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        Perhaps. Either way I'm happy. Having a wildcard in handy later down the line when they don't could prove crucial

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  2. Optimus.
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Celtic have to turn around a 2-0 deficit tonight..should be interesting

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    1. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Will be hilarious if they don't. (I'm a Rangers fan)

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      1. busteddocket
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        who are ye playing.

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  3. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    So I am leaving tomorrow for the whole weekend, so I need to settle my team tonight.
    Already did my transfer on Monday night - the template Hazard > Silva one.

    Team for the GW3 is:

    Marshall
    Zabaleta - TurnerM - Ward
    Walcott (C) - Mirallas - Snodgrass - Silva (VC)
    Soldado - Giroud - Sturridge

    bench: Mignolet - Kim - Mertesacker - Clyne

    I was hesitating between playing Migs or Marshall, but yesterday's injury of Kolo Toure made it easier. And actually it was always a plan to play Marshall this GW, when I took him as Migs back-up.

    Is it good to go, lads?

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    1. simsey
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      You know it is! Strong team, and 'if' Spurs Arsenal is the goal fest we're all hoping for then you'll have a very good wk, as will I 🙂

      I'm torn between Silva or Walcott as captain tbh, currently have it on Silva as I expect City to score 3 or 4 whereas Arsenal are less likely to because of Spurs defense and this newfound 'steel' in Capoue, Dembele and Paulinho...

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  4. MJ6987
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    I like the way you can keep learning little things in FPL. This year I have already learned...

    1. Make sure your cheap mid is nailed on
    2. Try to have mainly "season keeper" type players in your squad otherwise you are always looking at hits to get the perfect team

    The hard bit is remembering and sticking to your lessons.

    Anyone else learnt anything useful this year already?

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    1. Bad Pen
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Don't assume that a new signing will start - lots of people burnt by this one.

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      1. MJ6987
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        #bony

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    2. Sif
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      There is always a 4mil "nailed on" defender that isn't.

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      1. MJ6987
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        #brayford

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    3. Tim Canterbury
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Always own RVP. Even with tricky fixtures its just not worth the risk. Most captain/most VC every week even with a double

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      1. Declan-
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        This is one rule that I believe isn't true for the first time in a long time

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        1. Tangogooner
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 7 months ago

          I don't have rvp and I am top in my league.... Probably bring him in next week though.

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      2. simsey
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        Defo not true
        Anyone who has Suarez last season and spent the 3.5 million properly did just as well and sometimes better....
        It will prove a fallacy this season too, 14.0 players need to return 300+ points, which they never do!
        Highest ever score was Lampards 284 in 2011 and even he wasn't worth 14m!!

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    4. simsey
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Dont 'gamble' on who will start. Gamble on other things like captains and choosing HBA over Mirallas etc.
      But starters, never. Every player has to be a starter. I knew this and still made a balls of things with Lukaku - I didnt think Mourinho would be stupid enough to play shite like Torres ahead of him....

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  5. Fin
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Just realised out of my starting 11 next week i only have coverage of 5 games..

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    1. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Evs has cover in 3

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      1. Pepin - RIP Absinthe
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        Stalker

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    2. Optimus.
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      4 here

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    3. svgcr
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      7

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    4. Fin
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      I do think coverage is overrated but the fact that i have to play a Boruc and Turner when theyre playing against each other annoys me. Damn Foster.

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      1. Granville
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        Perfect. The game will be 0-0

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        1. FPL Daniel
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 7 months ago

          amen to that Granny

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  6. Gilbo88
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Spurs in talks with Eriksen - could be great news for Soldado owners but bad for Paulinho

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  7. Demelbrush
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    We Need to Talk About Kolo.

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  8. Mind över Mata
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    How does this look for the weekend?:

    Migs
    Coleman, Celustika, Ward
    Silva, Brady, Walcott, R.Morrison
    RVP (c), Sturridge, Giroud

    Davies; Figueroa, Toure, Lampard

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    1. hewsoa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Outstanding. V good balance

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    2. hewsoa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Only thing would question would be captain. Silva better?

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  9. New Article Posted
  10. Heels_Over_Head
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    repost on Lamela & Kolo for new arrivals

    Lamela hulked post: http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2013/08/28/scout-scribbles-liverpool-suffer-toure-blow/?hc_page=9#hc_comment_5408604

    Kolo will be out through the international break. His price very unlikely to fall this week as was closer to rising before injury. His groin was described by Brendan Rodgers as "opening up a bit." No further news yet.

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    1. Mind över Mata
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Helpful, thanks

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  11. xuwei
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Do we think Fonte is nailed on? Still trying to find good Toure replacement...

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  12. Twelve years a slave
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Lamela-- Any chance he comse in as a midfielder?

    Really hoping so , the game needs more decent mids

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    1. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      definitely hoping he comes in as a mid, for less than Soldado

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  13. JonnyOnionRings
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Any one worried about Paulinho's game time or place on the team after the signing of Lamela? Could mean that he gets pushed back with Lamela taking up one of the wide slots if they play a 4-3-3. Or will he just come in the team at he expense of townsend/chadli/lennon? Leaving Paulinho free to attack.

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  14. New Post
  15. indiangunner
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    RAMSEY, Walcott, Giroud

    OR

    JOE COLE, Walcott, Giroud???

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    1. Emp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Ramsey , nailed on

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  16. Colonel Klink
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Is Cabral a waste of a 4.5 mid? Don't know team dynamics to know whether he's getting in e squad regularly soon.

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  17. Reed_Rothchild
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    So this is the new template team with mids being de-ephasized?

    Migs Davis

    Vertonghen Terry Coleman Collins Zabaleta Chester

    Barkley Brady Walcott Nolan Adam

    Aguero Sturridge Soldado

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    1. Lucky Luke
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      And emphasis on 6 defenders......,

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    2. EatsOwls
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Mignolet vs United?
      Vertonghon vs Arsenal?
      Terry - blank?
      Chester vs Man City?

      hmm

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  18. hewsoa
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Bringing in Silva this game week. Who to sacrifice - Coutinho (looking good but ineffective scoring) or mirallas (disappointing but CAR away)?

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  19. garethboii
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Hey hey.. how's my team looking?

    anything i should change with my WC team?

    Migs

    Collins, Colman, vidic (Whittaker, Chester)

    Wally, silva, michu, Barkley (lampard)

    Soldado, giroud, dzeko

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  20. PAVLYUCHENKOSAURUS
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Gutted about Eto'o... Would have loved him in my team if he joined a club where he wouldn't warm the bench. What a waste.

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    1. EatsOwls
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      I think he'll be a starter to be honest. Torres and Ba seem to be below par. As for Lukaku, doesnt seem to be in Jose's favour.

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  21. EatsOwls
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Mignolet
    Mert / Dawson / Toure

    Clean sheet points not looking like a possibility this weekend..

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  22. Munny Man
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Hi all, just wondering if you could give some advise/suggestions on my team
    Mignolet - Harper
    Shaw - Mertesacker - Coleman - Baker - McNaughton
    Hazard - Silva - Walcot - Kim - Routledge
    RVP - Soldado - Anelka

    Thinking of getting rid of Hazard to free up some dosh. Maybe get rid of Mertesacker because Spurs are going to score a hatfull.

    Many thanks.

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    1. Munny Man
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Oh, 2FT and zero money in the bank.

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