If there is one predictable aspect to Chelsea's current form, it is that each match is impossible to predict. Some wretched performances have been liberally interspersed with some excellent ones as the team have struggled to find any regularity in their displays, sometimes within the same game: as seen in Sunday's 2-1 defeat to Manchester United.
Among the collective, however, is one individual who has found that elusive level of consistency. And it could not have come at a more welcome time. At a juncture in the season where Chelsea have struggled to find the correct solution at centre forward whether through injuries to Alvaro Morata or the assimilation of Olivier Giroud, Willian's telling contributions have been vital to keeping the team's head above water.
In his last six starts, the Brazilian has found the back of the net five times. That record is further enhanced when considering that he was brought off after only 34 minutes of the debacle at Watford when he made way following Tiemoue Bakayoko's red card. Three of those goals might have come against the lesser lights of Brighton and Hull City, though the other two have come against Barcelona and Manchester United. Factor in a crucial equaliser at Anfield earlier in the campaign and his offerings in big encounters bears comparison with any of his teammates.
Willian's rise is all the more gratifying after enduring a slow start to the campaign. Not always finding himself in the team, especially when Antonio Conte opted to deploy a 3-5-2 formation with Eden Hazard behind Morata, he struggled to discover his game, one based on deft touches, explosive pace and pinpoint finishing.
Although hardly prolific throughout his Chelsea career, Willian has usually chipped in with his fair share of goals though he had only found the back of the net once before the back end of November, albeit a winning goal in a Carabao Cup tie with Everton.
His return to prominence has been timely to relieve the excessive expectation and responsibility that constantly sits on Hazard's shoulders. Asked to virtually carry the team's attack in the absence of an in-form striker, the Belgian will be extremely pleased that the burden is now being shared with Willian.
Additionally, it is also working to Chelsea's tactical advantage -- as seen in their last two matches. Against both Barcelona and Manchester United the understandable defensive focus from both opponents was to shut down Hazard and both seemed to make the fatal mistake of ignoring his 29-year-old teammate.
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The attention given to Hazard ensured that Willian established himself as Chelsea's most dangerous player in both games hitting the post twice against Barcelona before eventually scoring and then netting the opener at Old Trafford. The latter moment was a perfect example of the opposition obsessing over Hazard to their own detriment, with Victor Lindelof and Scott McTominay both being drawn towards the talisman like moths to a flame while allowing Willian to run free.
Apart from his goals, Willian's all-round play has also been impressive. His driving runs against Barcelona helped to open up their backline while relieving the pressure on his own defence and midfield. He was excellent at drawing fouls in advanced areas and has even mucked in defensively. Willian's diligence in that area might not be as concentrated as the ever-energetic Pedro Rodriguez, though he could even be seen winning a strongly contested header against the Liga leaders after he had already received extensive treatment for a head injury.
Given his achievements at the club since his arrival in 2013 -- which include being named Chelsea's player of the year in 2016, as well as collecting a couple of Premier League winners medals along the way -- it is strange that there is still a small section of supporters that seem to decry every error yet fall silent whenever he does something positive.
Football is a fickle sport constructed of myriad opinions and everybody has players they like or dislike, often for arbitrary and irrational reasons. Such varied debate is what gives the game its lifeblood. Nevertheless, it is surprising to see people at odds with somebody that has rarely let the club down.
With rumours in the tabloid press that Jose Mourinho wants to bring Willian to Manchester United, it is not hard to find some Chelsea supporters on social media that are willing to sanction the move. Thankfully, it is not up to them.
On the flipside, many matchgoing supporters, who continue to belt his chant out with gusto, warmly receive his contributions. And if Willian can maintain his current hot streak then that same chant will continue to be sung regularly for the foreseeable future.
Source: espn.co.uk