Willian has played over 300 games for Chelsea. (Getty Images)
According to transfer guru Ian McGarry (h/t The Daily Star), Tottenham are plotting a shock move for Chelsea winger Willian. The 31-year-old has enjoyed rich success with the Blues since a £30m move from Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala back in 2013.
The 31-year-old winger’s current deal is set to expire at the end of the season and the uncertainty over his future at Stamford Bridge appears to have handed the Blues’ rivals the chance to make a shock attempt to sign the attacker on a free transfer in the summer.
While Willian has produced some exceptional performances this season, Tottenham must simply avoid signing him at the end of the season.
Spurs have hit the buffers of late, with Jose Mourinho’s side losing 1-0 to Southampton last weekend. Above all, talismanic figure Harry Kane got injured in that game and has now been ruled out until March with a torn hamstring.
Kane’s injury means Mourinho could be forced to bring in an immediate replacement as Spurs don’t have an experienced like-to-like replacement for the England international.
It looks like Mourinho is planning for the long run and wants to sign Willian on a free transfer at the end of the season. However, Tottenham’s interest in the Chelsea star doesn’t strike the right chords for a number of reasons.
Firstly, Willian’s age could prove to be problematic. Tottenham roped in some exciting young players like Ryan Sessegnon, Jack Clarke and Tanguy Ndombele before the start of the season and Willian is not someone who is in the upward curve of his career, even though he has been fantastic under Frank Lampard.
Secondly, Spurs have an array of exciting wide players in Lucas Moura, Erik Lamela, Son Heung-min and Ryan Sessegnon. Taking into consideration that all the aforementioned players are capable of playing wide roles.
There is no doubting of the fact that Willian and Mourinho share a good relationship (h/t The Daily Star), but this move doesn’t really make sense, considering Spurs’ current options in the forward department.
Tottenham have already got quality young talents like Sessegnon and Clarke in their ranks and while it is true that the former is starting to get chances now and the latter has just returned from his loan spell with Leeds, there is no way that the 31-year-old Willian could possibly be an upgrade on them.
All in all, Tottenham would be better off dropping their interest in the Brazilian international, even if it means bringing him in on a free transfer.
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