Willian’s astonishing revival as a Premier League star attacking talent is key to Fulham flying high
There are so many Fulham players deserving plaudits for their displays this season, but Willian becoming Premier League box office again needs a special mention.
The manner in which the Brazilian, 34, and American international centre-back Tim Ream, 35, have enjoyed a top-flight renaissance only underlines the excellent job being done by Whites manager Marco Silva.
Willian was at it again on Saturday, those quick feet and scalpel sharp turns ending with a superb finish to put Fulham on the way to a 2-0 win over Forest at Craven Cottage. Manor Solomon’s late second sealed the outcome with the west London club, twice instantly relegated back to the Championship, a heady seventh in the standings.
Willian has scored three goals in 18 appearances for Fulham, 16 of those starts. He got just one in 34 matches for Arsenal in the 2020-21 season – describing it previously as “the worst time” of his professional career.
The two-time Premier League title-winner is now on 275 appearances in England’s top tier with 41 goals and 40 assists.
Willian’s performances have been that strong, his superglue-like first touch and movement so incisive, that Fulham’s hierarchy will surely be keen to secure him on a new contract, just like the confirmation a while back that Ream was staying until at least the summer of 2024.
One signing that failed to work out was Kevin Mbabu.
The Swiss right-back arrived in the summer but had largely been kept out by the likes of Kenny Tete or Bobby Decordova-Reid before the arrival of Arsenal’s Cedric Soares on loan last month shunted him further out of the first-team picture.
Mbabu has joined Servette , second in the Swiss Super League, on loan for the remainder of the season.
PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD