Brazilian will do his best to earn starting spot.
New Chelsea signing Willian knows he will have a tough job on his hands to break into Jose Mourinho’s starting lineup this season, according to Sky Sports.
The Brazilian joined the club for £32m from Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala this summer, having also attracted strong interest from Liverpool and Tottenham. But despite being the club’s most expensive purchase of the transfer window, he becomes one of many talented attacking midfield players in the Chelsea squad.
Mourinho also brought in German winger Andre Schurrle from Bayer Leverkusen this summer, while talented youngster Kevin De Bruyne also returned to the club after a successful loan spell with Werder Bremen, adding to the top class options of Juan Mata, Eden Hazard and Oscar already at the club.
However, he admits he has been a Chelsea fan for some time, and that the manager and the other Brazilian players at the club persuaded him to make the move to Stamford Bridge.
“I wanted to play at Chelsea, even more so now with Jose Mourinho, who is the best at what he does,” he said.
“The Brazilians called me, especially David Luiz, who told me to come quickly. I was very happy to have them around and they will certainly help me a lot.
“I know that I haven’t secured my spot here. I’ll do my best to achieve that place, while respecting the other players. I’ll train, play and do my best to get the trust of the manager and of the fans.”
Willian is glad to have made the move to the Premier League though, as he hopes the exposure of playing for a big side will help earn him a place in the squad of the Brazilian national team for next summer’s World Cup, where his country will also be hosting the tournament.
“There is no doubt English football is very big, with huge visibility,” he added. “I hope that helps me to be called up for the national team – but of course that depends on me.
“I’ll have to play and prove I deserve that spot. I first have to become a regular starter [with Chelsea], then play well and be called up [by Brazil]. This is my goal.”