Lampard wants Willian to ‘recharge batteries’ after failed Barca switch
Chelsea want Willian to use the winter break to sort his head out after he was axed by Frank Lampard for sulking over a failed move to Barcelona.
The wide man has been a regular name on the teamsheet in Chelsea’s biggest games this season but found himself dropped to the bench for last week’s 2-2 draw at Leicester.
Lampard decided to bring Pedro in from the cold at the King Power instead, and SunSport understands the decision was made because Willian’s head had dropped after a switch to Barca fell flat in January.
The 31-year-old went through the motions on the training ground in the run-up to the clash against the Foxes and Lampard decided there was no way he could start the Brazilian as a result.
Now the club want him to get his head straight over the time off and return focused on helping Chelsea seal on a top four finish in the league this season.
Willian’s current deal at Stamford Bridge expires this summer and as yet he is not close to signing a new contract, with Barca open to taking him on a free transfer in the summer.
With the Blues now having entered the winter-break, Willian took to Instagram to post a cryptic message.
The winger posted a picture in black and white in which he is posing in a suit while holding a football.
His caption in Portuguese translated as: “If you have already given up on your dreams, it is a sign that you never dreamed, because the one who dreams never gives up.”
Despite the uncertainty over his future, Willian has remained a key man at Stamford Bridge this season.
Chelsea want Willian to use winter break to get head right after Lampard axe for sulking over failed Barcelona transfer https://t.co/L07IWFEsUu
— The Sun – Chelsea (@SunChelsea) February 5, 2020
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He has started 19 of the Blues’ 25 Premier League matches, with the highlight being his brilliant brace against Tottenham Hotspur back in December.
Frank Lampard has made a conscious effort to bring through Chelsea’s considerable young talent – but is open to keeping Willian for next season.
Since joining the Blues from Anzhi Makhachkala in 2013 for £30million, the former Shakhtar Donetsk attacker has made 323 appearances – winning two Premier League titles along the way.