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Willian would be a quality signing for Newcastle United

By Carson A Merk

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 19: Willian of Chelsea and Ciaran Clark of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge on October 19, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 19: Willian of Chelsea and Ciaran Clark of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge on October 19, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) /
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With his playmaking, pace, and position, Willian would be a welcome addition for Newcastle United.

Newcastle United are rumored to be interested in adding Chelsea’s Willian this summer. The winger is out of contract following this season and NUFC’s new ownership group is reportedly keen on bringing him into the squad. The Brazilian would be a solid addition for the Magpies because of his passing, pace, and position.

If somehow you have missed Willian during his over 300 matches for Chelsea, he is a right winger that loves to dribble at opponents, set up his teammates, and try shots from distance. While he is 31 years old, he still has a good bit of pace and remains very shifty on the ball. His dribbling allows him to either run at the defense and play a slick through ball in behind or give him enough space to fire in a cross.

This season, Willian has registered five goals and five assists in the Premier League. That assist total has him in the top 20 in the league. Production like that on the wing is something that Newcastle United have sorely been missing.

That leads me to why I mentioned that his position is a key part of his value to Newcastle. Because adding a true, EPL-quality right winger allows Miguel Almiron to move into a number ten role, something that we’ve written about multiple times. The Paraguayan is at his best when he’s in the middle of the attack and can combine well with the striker. Newcastle boasting an attacking group of Allan Saint-Maximin on one wing, Willian opposite him, Miggy in the middle, and a competent striker up top is dangerous. That gives whoever the manager is a trio of pacey players that can run at defenders and like to push the action.

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Adding the Brazilian this summer makes sense and his weekly wages shouldn’t break the bank either. But, for Newcastle United, I would not make Willian the model for the players you target. He’s a quality player and I’ve highlighted how he can immediately improve the club, but your best bet for sustained success is adding good players that have their best years ahead of them. If you continually add players that are trending the opposite direction but are great at the time, you will find yourself in a cycle of needing to constantly replace those top players.