Brazilian winger Willian has returned to Fulham – just six and a half months after leaving Craven Cottage.
The 36 year-old has put pen to paper on a short-term deal until the end of the season, having been training at Motspur Park recently following his departure from Olympiakos after Christmas.
Willian, who made 67 appearances and scored ten goals in his two seasons with Marco Silva’s side, told the club’s official website this morning:
“I’m really happy to be back here. I think it’s a great opportunity again to play for this club, and I’m fully motivated to get on the pitch and do things well for this club. I’m completely happy, my family’s happy. We are happy to be back, and I think we can do good things until the end of the season, so I can’t wait to start with my teammates and do good things inside the pitch.”
Let’s hope he can contribute for the rest of the season. What is more troubling (but not surprising) is the reports about how we left it too late to secure a deal for Chukwueze. The way that we often do business during transfer windows is not good for Marco/the team, as in the summer it doesnt allow him to bed players in during preseason. On top of that we often see teams not wanting to lose players so late that they can’t replace them. I’m not sure why we see fit to work like this, but I can’t imagine it will make Marco happy
Why did he leave in the first place? He thought he could do better elsewhere and it went south and now he needs a contract and has come back. Yes he was great for us last season but I can’t stand this grass is greener attitude. I hope we are paying him peanuts to be honest and he will need to play like George Best to change my mind about him.
Same old story every transfer window wait until the last hour and then miss out once again, why do we have to put up with Tonkey in charge of the transfers he is clueless and that will never change. We didn’t need another left winger and I wouldn’t have brought Willian back on principle I hope he’s on the lowest wages of our squad.
I’ll be happy if he can give 20-30 minute sub appearances to add to the goals tally for the bench players and the odd 60 minutes start here and there. What I’m really hoping for is that he can teach ESR and unlock for him how to be more aggressive and clinical in the final third. Find those pockets and make those progressive dribbles into danger areas. Other than Wilson and Iwobi occasionally, they’ve not had that skill out on the pitch this season. This signing is much better in my eyes compared to stumping up a large loan fee for a 3rd forward like last January. Just wages. And there’s no bedding in time needed. If he’s well and truly past it, you allow him to depart at season’s end.
Why so mean with the comments?
He’s a great player and I, for one am happy that he wears the shirt again.
Grumpy suppurters, always moaning! Willian was a class act for us over two seasons, if his ability manages to get us even one win until the end of season this transfer would be a success.
Have to confess to being totally confused. Love his football, hope he hits the ground running, not too much left of the season to have an impact. But that said, his thought processes seem questionable. He could have made a real contribution if he’d have not sought the greener grass. He should have known they don’t have that much grass in Greece, we have a load more.
Reply to John B.
Does it make you feel superior to refer to TK as Tonkey? Why is that necessary?
Our recruitment over the last few seasons has been massively successful as demonstrated by our League position. I don’t think there have been ANY bad buys. This is an incredibly well run club.
Certain supporters are so fickle. They dont know when they are well off. We are 9th in the best league in the world.
At last. More positive people than whingers.
Unless they were confused between winger and whinger
if you think for one moment that Tony Kahn is going to be bothered by some cheap shots from keyboard warriors, then you are as deluded as those posters.
I hope we are not going down the slippery slope that the Message Board has chosen. All happy FFC teamies are together.????
Those ???? were meant to be a smile:))
I think one point we are missing here. Marco and Willian obviously have close relationship. . If it keeps March happy then it is a good deal for me and it is only to the end of the season We are not going to get relegated and it is unlikely we will qualify for Europe so it will be a good opportunity to blood some of our youngsters giving them some game time. I certainly would like to see Josh King playing more often> It has been a good season so far. There maybe grounds for some moans but all round it is positive
just for fun. my All-time FFC 11:
Edwin Van de Sar [Neth.]
G. Cohen Esq., C. Coleman [Wal.], Sir R. Moore, A. Hughes [N.I.]
Palhinha [Port.], The Master Johnnie Haynes [Capt.],
Zoltan Gera [Hun]
Willian [Bra.], Mitrovic [Serb.], Mr. G. Best [N.I.]
FFC Subs: Schwarzer [Aus.] Kenny Tete, the Jedi [USA]
Sir Bobby Robson, Alan Mullery.
Clint Dempsey [USA], Danny Murphy, Graham Leggat [Scot.], Saha [fr.].