Willian Borges Da Silva, Born on August 9th, 1988 in Ribeirao Pires, Brazil. His parents’ housekeeper Maria Da Silva and father Severino Da Silva who made a living selling spare car parts both came from extremely humble beginnings. Often struggling to sustain a basic standard of life, Willian and his family often devised ways to conjure any extra income they could.
The Boy Wonder
From a young age, Willian was rarely seen without a musical instrument in his hand. The young Brazilian adapted his family’s love for their native samba music, eventually mastering several instruments. Willian not only enjoyed playing music but also saw it to help contribute financially. Helping to relieve pressure from his already burdened parents. Willian would often play drums in the streets of Ribeirao Pires to gain what little he could.
School was a tough time for young Willian as he struggled academically, often showing little to no interest in the classroom. The young Brazilians mother would often complete his homework to spare disciplinary action being taken by the school.
Whilst Willian’s struggles were evident in the classroom, he very much flourished during practical activates. During the 1998 World Cup, Willian’s love for football blossomed. Days spent with his family surrounding a small television cheering on their fellow Brazilians. Brazil would eventually come up short, losing 3-0 in the final to a star-studded French side. But Willian did not despair, in fact he credits the performances of Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo de Lima as the reason he decided to pursue a career in football.
Willian is a product of the famous Sport Club Corinthians Paulista, which is renowned for producing some of the best Brazilian players to grace the sport. Such was his father’s devotion, he moved his entire family to the city of Sao Paulo so as he could be more involved with his son’s progression, a move which put the families limited financial security in jeopardy.
“My father is a very passionate man and sometimes he talks too much especially when it come to praising and boasting about me to his friends. I had to speak with him and ask him not to say anything from now on”
Over the course of a decade Willian worked his way through the Corinthians youth ranks. Making his senior debut in 2007 making a total of five appearances during a campaign that saw them finish mid-table.
The following season saw Willian firmly cement himself within the first team of Corinthians, making a total of 29 appearances. Whilst the team were undoubtably in decline, Willian continued to display flashes of brilliance. With his powerful runs, skilful feet and a fantastic range of passing. Willian was gaining an ever-growing list of admirers.
“It was difficult to leave Brazil and go somewhere so different. But it was not something I was forced into. Shakhtar made an offer which was a very good one for myself and for my club.
Before I signed I spent three days there. I saw how they trained, got to know the city a bit and I ended up really quite liking it. I look back on it now as a positive experience.
The weather took some getting used to — minus 20, minus 25. But it was the kind of experience you can only gain from.”
Willian Arrives in Europe
On August 23rd, 2007, Willian made the move to the Ukrainian Premier League, Signing a five-year deal with Shakhtar Donetsk for a fee of 14m Euros. During this period Shakhtar had been attempting to install a Brazilian core within its squad. With Willian being touted as the next big talent to be imported from South America.
Willian was handed his debut on September 15th, 2007 by Mircea Lucescu coming off the bench on the 57th minute against Chornomorets Odesa in which Shakhtar emerged victors by two goals to one. The young Brazilians first goal came on Halloween day, helping his side secure a 4-1 win over Arsenal Kyiv. Over the course of six seasons with Shakhtar Willian continued to impress both domestically and on the European stage, collecting five league titles and most notably winning the UEFA Cup in 2009.
Following a successful spell in the Ukraine Willian made the short trip to Russian new boys, FC Anzhi Makhachkala for a fee of 35m Euros. A club touted to have a huge financial backing and a vision to bring some of footballs biggest names to Russia. Willian’s debut came during FC Anzhi Makhachkala’s Europa League clash against Newcastle United, but disaster struck. Whilst making an off the ball run Willian sustained a hamstring injury that would see him miss nine games.
However, his time at FC Anzhi Makhachkala was short lived, as the level of its investment was dramatically reduced and the club opted to financially restructure which led to them astonishingly placing their entire first team squad on the transfer list. Willian had made only a mere eleven appearances for the club, but one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.
The Drama Of Arrival
On August 25th, 2013 Willian made his move Chelsea, but it was not without its drama. Whilst the deal was agreed on the 25th it wasn’t actually made official until the 28th due to issues with work permits. As Willian had only two international caps, he didn’t meet the set requirements that are set for South American players moving to the United Kingdom. An exception was eventually granted due to the quality within the Brazilian national team that had prevented Willian making more appearances.
The move also ruffled the feathers of Chelsea’s local rivals Tottenham Hotspur. The Brazilian had been in advanced negotiations with Spurs for several weeks, Willian had even undergone a medical only to put pen to paper with Chelsea a matter of hours later. This turn of events has led to a toxic relationship between Willian and Tottenham, often targeted with verbal abuse on his outings to White Hart Lane.
Jose Mourinho handed Willian his Chelsea debut during a Champions League clash with FC Basel which ended in a 2-1 home defeat. Soon after the Brazilian bagged his first goal for the blues when Chelsea sealed a victory over Liverpool at Anfield.
On July 12th, 2016 Willian signed an improved four-year contract extension after impressing the blues boss Antonio Conte. But sadly, later in the year Willian’s Mother Maria passed away after a long-fought battle with cancer. Her son paid homage by releasing a poem in her memory. His teammates and manager also publicly honoured her by dedicating their victories over that period to her and the mourning De Silva family.
“She was a very important person in my life and will always be important to me. After she died, I stayed in Brazil a week.
Since I came back, slowly I have started to feel better and to feel I can play for the team again. Now I have to think only about the good things and to keep working and keep playing. That’s all I want to do.
It was difficult for me against Crystal Palace, especially after a long time without playing 90 minutes. We did well to win again, and now we have to keep doing the same thing again: winning, winning, taking it game by game.”
Over the years Willian has cemented himself as one of the most respected players in the Premiere League, Chelsea have had numerous managers, but Willian has been a constant under all of them. Collecting multiple accolades including two Premiere League titles, an FA Cup, a League Cup and the Europa League.
Following the appointment of Frank Lampard as Chelsea manager we have seen the blues take a fresh approach, Lampard has looked to lower the collective age of his squad by bringing in young talent while disposing of his older players. Although Willian appeared to an exception to the rule, the club were willing to offer the Brazilian a new two-year extension. But Willian thought it unsuitable and opted to leave the club after seven years of service.
Willian Signs
After weeks of speculation and poorly kept secrets, it was announced that Willian would join Arsenal on a free transfer for a reported three-year deal. The deal was scrutinised by some due Willian being represented by Super-agent Kia Joorabchian, a man in which many fans have concerns over the ever-growing relationship between Arsenal and Joorabchian.
“I think this club deserves to shine again and I want to be a part of this project – to be a part of the Arsenal family is amazing. I’m very happy to do that.
“I come to try to win trophies, because this club deserves to win again, and I think you have to do the best as possible to win every game. I always train hard and go on the pitch giving 100 per cent to help this team to win games and to win titles as well.”
But given the current the financial climate I feel this is a good deal for Arsenal Football Club. We are gaining someone that has operated at an extremely high level consistently for an exceptionally long time, someone to help mould and guide the wealth of youthful talent we are blessed to have. More importantly, we have someone who is no stranger to adversity, someone who will stand up to counted and someone I have no doubt will give everything for the badge. This is the beginning of a new chapter in Willian’s story, and I am looking forward to seeing how its written.