WILLIAN has called his decision to snub a move to Tottenham as the “best decision of my career”.
In the summer 2013 the Brazilian was completing a medical at Spurs and on the verge of signing for them when a call came in from Chelsea.
In an interview with The Athletic he remembers: “Chelsea came on the day I was going to sign the contract with Spurs. I was at Tottenham’s training ground to finalise the deal when the call came.
“I said, ‘OK, I want to go there!’”
The Brazil international moved to Stamford Bridge from Anzhi Makhachkala for a fee in the region of £30million on a five-year deal.
Having already left Tottenham in the lurch, the skilful winger would add salt to Daniel Levy and Spurs’ wounds when he set up John Terry’s goal in a 2-0 victory over them in the 2015 EFL Cup final.
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The 34-year-old enjoyed a fruitful spell at Stamford Bridge picking up five major honours, two of which were Premier League titles.
It’s a time he recounts with joy: “I only wanted to go there. It was the best decision of my career!”
Willian swapped south-west London for the red side of the capital when he joined Arsenal in 2020.
But his time with the Gunners was fruitless and faltering, it was a complete contrast to his time at Chelsea and one goal in 37 games summarised that.
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Willian cites the lack of connection with the club – with his time there coinciding with team’s playing behind closed doors – as a possible reason for his struggles.
He said: “I have to feel good, to feel motivated to go to training. I wasn’t having that there so I decided to leave.
“I didn’t see Arsenal fans. Maybe I needed to feel the buzz of the crowd, it was something I missed.”
His Arsenal career was cut short after a single season, but after a period in Brazil, Willian made a shock return to London on deadline day to sign with newly promoted Fulham.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
