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Paul Merson claims ‘world class’ Chelsea ace ‘could play for Manchester City’
Chelsea winger Willian looks set to depart Stamford Bridge when his contract expires at the end of the 2019/20 Premier League season.
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Paul Merson has claimed that “world class” Chelsea winger Willian is good enough to play for Manchester City. The 31-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and Merson believes there “will be teams queuing around the block to sign him” when his deal expires.
Willian has contributed 59 goals and 59 assists in 329 appearances for Chelsea but his seven-year spell at Stamford Bridge looks set to end when the 2019/20 campaign - currently suspended due to the coronavirus - comes to a conclusion.
He has been a regular in Frank Lampard’s team this term and Merson is surprised the club allowed his contract to run down.
The Arsenal legend told Sky Sports: “Willian is very fortunate. Don't get me wrong, he's a brilliant player and I still think he's one of Chelsea's best players, there's no question about that whatsoever, but I think he's been fortunate in terms of getting away with the contract situation this season.
“He's let his contract run down and no one has said a dicky-bird about it. We've seen so many players get plenty of stick over running down their contract and leaving on a free. Normally everybody goes mad but with Willian, because he's played so well, it's gone under the radar.
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“He's got no stick off the fans whatsoever and you've only got to look at the Christian Eriksen situation at Tottenham to know he's been a bit fortunate with that.
“But Willian is world class, and Chelsea haven't got a lot of world-class players. Willian has been outstanding, he could play for Manchester City tomorrow. There will be teams queuing around the block to sign him. He's a special player and for me, Chelsea have dropped one by letting it get to this situation.”
Willian is holding out for a three-year deal while Chelsea are only willing to table a two-year contract.
The Blues have tended to offer one-year terms to players over the age of 30, and Merson struggles to see the value in bowing to the Brazilian’s demands.
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He said: “Willian is a great player and in the next two years he'll be a great player, but in the third year, he won’t. Who's ripping up the Premier League at 34? No one. So I just don't see how Willian gets a three-year deal now, unless he already has a deal agreed.
“Let's not kid ourselves, when this sort of situation crops up usually a player has already agreed a deal with another club. It's already done and dusted. Willian is not sitting and waiting until the end of the season on the chance he's going to fill his boots. That's normally all sorted in January.”
Arsenal and Tottenham plus La Liga giants Barcelona are all interested in Willian, and Merson believes Willian has already sorted out his next move.
“I’d be shocked if he hasn't already agreed a deal to join another club because it's very rare to not get your situation sorted,” he added.