Willian - worth a punt?

RyRoc

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If Arsenal are in for him, he's not good enough for us.
Not saying United should sign Willian but that seems a very simple way of looking at things. United would miss out on tons of fantastic players by only looking at ones the other current top teams are pursuing.
 
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Not saying United should sign Willian but that seems a very simple way of looking at things. United would miss out on tons of fantastic players by only looking at ones the other current top teams are pursuing.
Most recent example is their captain.

We dont want Willian though, certainly not on a 3 year deal!
 

Maluco

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I think he is a great player and one of the fittest in the league if you are judging on performances.

Even if people think he will bottom out and be worthless in his final year, it’s worth a team like Arsenal giving it to him to have that quality for the next couple of years.

He is much better than what they have. I think he gets underrated because of his numbers, but I think he has been fantastic for Chelsea and is well worth an investment with no fee.

I think he will continue to contribute at 34 and they will end up getting 3 good years from a very good player.

Worst case scenario is probably two good years and someone experienced to bring on in games for his last year.
 

sp_107

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Willian agrees to join Arsenal for 100K a week(3 years), Wondering why we pay more than this to our fringe players who is not so good? This must change at our club.,
 

TheMagicFoolBus

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Willian agrees to join Arsenal for 100K a week(3 years), Wondering why we pay more than this to our fringe players who is not so good? This must change at our club.,
Well, presumably you're not signing 32 year olds to 3 year deals if they're on the fringe...
 

Sigma

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I'm a big fan of Willian but this is hilarious.

 

flappyjay

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Willian agrees to join Arsenal for 100K a week(3 years), Wondering why we pay more than this to our fringe players who is not so good? This must change at our club.,
I would assume willian wanted a 3 year contract and Arsenal said they would only agree to it at a lower wage. This was Willian gets his 3 year contract and Arsenal gets a decent player.
 

tinfish

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For Arsenal I think it's really smart business.

Our bench is really weak, factor in the extra Europa games we now have and we can effectively rotate more senior players now.
 

Che Guevara

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True but they also have to pay 15m over 3 years in salaries. Do you really want to pay a 35 year old 5m in salary alone?
His contract will have ended by the time he reaches 35. There are many players in their early or even mid 30s who are still doing well, for example Giroud is nearly 34 and in very good form.
 
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Teja

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True but they also have to pay 15m over 3 years in salaries. Do you really want to pay a 35 year old 5m in salary alone?
No difference between signing him for 10m (+5m wages) for a one year contract and on free for a 3 yr 15m in wages contract. Most would say they'd take Willian for a season if he was available for 10m.
 

Betson

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Good player , a few years ago it would have made sense to be in for him,.

But not now , he is looking for final pay off with not the chance to win trophy's , a player on the wind down does not fit the type of player we are interested these days and that is a good thing. Anyway his family wants to stay in London , so it would be an unsettled player on the wind down.
 

duffer

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It's his birthday tomorrow. Happy 32nd.

Enjoy your retirement, take it nice and easy with Luiz. Hope he can really take advantage of the good food and drink London has to offer now the pressure of playing at a Champions League club is gone.
 

ThatsGreat

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No difference between signing him for 10m (+5m wages) for a one year contract and on free for a 3 yr 15m in wages contract. Most would say they'd take Willian for a season if he was available for 10m.
Exactly. We're taking a gamble on him helping us reach the CL next year, doesn't matter what he does after this one.
 

-Supreme-

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Big loss to Chelsea and it would be interesting to see if Arsenal can pinch the 4th spot next season.
 

Bebestation

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I felt Arsenal for too many years have tried to be stylish with their pace and technical side more than needed.

Willian is a hard working player which is the area Arsenal should be improving a bit like Ole forced on at United.

Good business for them.
 

TrustInJanuzaj

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He's really not good business, he's an average signing and will likely go the same way as Luiz again.
 

IrishRedDevil

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It's his birthday tomorrow. Happy 32nd.

Enjoy your retirement, take it nice and easy with Luiz. Hope he can really take advantage of the good food and drink London has to offer now the pressure of playing at a Champions League club is gone.
:lol:

Taking this worse than expected.
 

SwedishFish

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Don't think its great business. Arsenal is doing a self-proclaimed "rebuild" by signing yet another aging player on a bumper 3+1(?) year contract.

He's obviously leaving Chelsea to be a starter too so I can only assume that's what he will be at Arsenal. He can show up on his day but hasn't been amazing at any point really.

Arsenal really should be looking for players that can mature into this squad because it will be years until they can challenge for anything that isn't a FA Cup. It feels unbalanced all around.
 

RDCR07

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Does he play on the left wing as well? They have Auba starting there. And they have Pepe and Saka on the right.
 

Buster15

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Reminded me.
Wasn't the potential signing of Willian described widely as one of Jose biggest criticism....
 

11101

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Hard to see what Arsenal are doing with this signing. Theyve always had young players, almost too young, who needed a bit of experience to guide them. Their problem was getting enough of that experience. Now they're doing totally the opposite and are at risk of losing any kind of identity as a club. Their best players are all heading for 30 or already there. Mid table obscurity is almost guaranteed and they could be in a few relegation scraps in years to come if they keep this up.
 

Maluco

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He is going to be a good signing for them. It’s a smart move and something we need to be doing, otherwise it’s more of James/Mata/Lingard to rest other players next season.

He is a very good player and will be a great option for them.
 

Che Guevara

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It depends who else they sign. If as rumoured they also sign Coutinho, they will definitely have a very good squad with depth. Looks like, with Edu at the helm, they have decided to go Brazilian from top to bottom.
 

VP89

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It depends who else they sign. If as rumoured they also sign Coutinho, they will definitely have a very good squad with depth. Looks like, with Edu at the helm, they have decided to go Brazilian from top to bottom.
It's more of a case of them being limited in options, actually.

They've sacked off a lot of key scouts, including one who was a senior scout for 23 years helping bring in players from Fabregas and Martinelli.

With the lack of scout options they have opted more towards turning to their relationship with Kia Joorabchian, who is benefitting by shifting his deadweight clients in the process (Luiz, Wilian, Coutinho).
 

Che Guevara

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It's his birthday tomorrow. Happy 32nd.

Enjoy your retirement, take it nice and easy with Luiz. Hope he can really take advantage of the good food and drink London has to offer now the pressure of playing at a Champions League club is gone.
Giroud is almost 34 and easily Chelsea's best striker at the moment. Besides, Chelsea actually wanted to give Willian a new contract, albeit a 2-year one.
 
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Che Guevara

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It's more of a case of them being limited in options, actually.

They've sacked off a lot of key scouts, including one who was a senior scout for 23 years helping bring in players from Fabregas and Martinelli.

With the lack of scout options they have opted more towards turning to their relationship with Kia Joorabchian, who is benefitting by shifting his deadweight clients in the process (Luiz, Wilian, Coutinho).
Like which ones? From reports so far, most are support and admin staff. They are getting rid of Cagigao because, after their restructuring, they feel Edu will adequately cover that job. Are they right? Only time and results will tell. I agree that Luiz's days at the top are numbered and frankly he is lucky to still be starting (although he was the MOTM against City), but they have brought in two new CBs (Saliba and Mari) in addition to Holdings and Chambers. Also, in my opinion Willian and Coutinho will be very good additions to their squad, they are still more than decent players by any standards.