An upbeat Willian has told the Daily Telegraph that Fulham have ‘huge potential to be one of the best clubs in the Premier League, to start winning trophies’.

The evergreen Brazilian winger admits to feeling ‘grateful’ that the Whites ‘opened the door’ for a return to English football after his return to his boyhood club Corinthians turned sour. He says that head coach Marco Silva has been crucial to his renaissance at Craven Cottage:

“When I decided to join Fulham it was because it’s a nice club in London but the main thing was Marco. We had a great conversation and, for me, he’s a great manager. I am enjoying working with him a lot. He always tries to understand the players and he tries to speak with you as well. In football, the human part is always important and he’s a great guy.

Historically, this club has gone up and down, up and down. But I think it has a huge potential to be one of the best clubs in the Premier League, to start winning trophies and to start fighting for something good. This club can do that. It’s London, a great stadium, good people in the club. It’s a good place to be. Look, they opened the door for me and I will always be grateful for that.”

The 35 year-old, who has scored ten goals and added eight assists in 56 appearances for Fulham, is adamant that he wants to extend his stay at Craven Cottage.

“Yeah, but I don’t know if they want me to stay! We are going to decide at the end of the season. Now, I just want to be focussed on playing well and training well and giving my best to the club. Then we will see what we can do, what we are going to do. Everyone says to me ‘how’s it possible that you are 35? You can’t be! It’s good to hear that.”