“I don’t think he gets the recognition he deserves”: Fulham Captain Tom Cairney praises former Chelsea star

Chelsea
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Fulham captain Tom Cairney has hailed former Chelsea winger Willian as the best player he has ever played alongside, claiming the Brazilian was underrated during his Premier League career. 

Speaking on Sky Sports Premier League, Cairney highlighted Willian’s exceptional football intelligence and talent, which he believes was overshadowed by Eden Hazard during their time together at Chelsea.

“Willian, it’s not even close. I think football brain, out of this world,” Cairney said.

“In my opinion, I don’t think he gets the recognition he deserves in the Premier League. I think he was one of the best players in the Premier League for four or five years, but because he played in the same team as Eden Hazard, who kind of took a lot of the limelight—and rightly so, he was the best player—but I thought Willian was special, very special.”

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Cairney also praised Willian’s sharpness even in his later years. “And for me, when he came to Fulham at 34, 35, he was, the sharpness and the ABS brakes. But now, what a footballer honestly.”

Willian, who joined Chelsea from Anzhi Makhachkala in 2013, scored 63 goals and provided 57 assists in 339 appearances during his seven years at Stamford Bridge. Though his move to Arsenal in 2020 didn’t work out, the Brazilian rediscovered his form at Fulham before joining Olympiacos, where he last played.