Fulham pro Willian regrets Chelsea move to Arsenal

Fulham pro ‘happy now’

Fulham professional Willian, who played a total of 339 times for Chelsea between 2013 and 2020, would have preferred to stay with the Blues in retrospect. Instead, the 34-year-old offensive player was drawn to London city rivals FC Arsenal on a free transfer, where he was only to stay for a year. In the “Football Daily” format, Willian confirmed that he now regrets this step.

“Yes. I wish I had never left,” explained the veteran (quoted via “The Sun”). “Of course it’s easy to say that now, but when I stop and think about all the situations, I say to myself: I wish I had never left.” Willian is one of 17 Brazilians who have played for Chelsea so far, none standing as often as the right foot for the club from Stamford Bridge on the pitch.

“So life is. I’m happy at Fulham now and enjoying it there,” revealed the pro, who scored 63 goals and 62 assists at Chelsea but only managed eight goals in 37 games during his season at Arsenal. He left the “Gunners” before his contract, which was valid until 2023, expired and, according to “Sky Sports”, waived a severance payment and thus 20.5 million pounds, the equivalent of 24 million euros. In his home country of Brazil at the Corinthians youth club, Willian reportedly earned around 70 percent less. He returned to London in the summer of 2022, this time to Fulham FC. In the current season, the attacker has 21 matches with three goals and three assists.

“I wish I never left Chelsea.”

Willian reflects on his regrets about leaving Chelsea for Arsenal pic.twitter.com/doLpQg5kQh

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) March 11, 2023

Asked about his unfortunate chapter at Arsenal, Willian said: “They are on the rise now (as leaders; ed.). (…) A lot has changed. I was excited when I signed with them. I trained hard but it just didn’t work and that was it”. Willian has clear ideas for the time after his career. “I want to be a football consultant. I started studying, but slowly. I can’t do much now because I’m still playing. But I’m learning, and when I’m done I’ll deal with it,” he told The Athletic last September.

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