Willian thinks highly of Enzo Fernandez and responds to Chelsea’s Arsenal snatching

Former Chelsea player Willian thinks Enzo Fernandez is a terrific player for his old team, while Mykhailo Mudryk’s acquisition brought back memories of his own move to Stamford Bridge.

The Blues made nearly £250 million in transfers during a frantic January transfer window that ended with the Premier League-record acquisition of Fernandez from Benfica for £106 million on the final day of the market.

The 22-year-old is scheduled to make his debut against Fulham at Stamford Bridge on Friday night. The Brazilian is a supporter of fellow South American Willian.

Willian responded to a question about Fernandez’s club-record transfer to Chelsea by saying: ‘I saw some highlights [during the] World Cup – he looks good!’

The greatest young player in Qatar, the Argentina international, wasn’t Chelsea’s only high-profile signing last month. The west Londoners snatched up Mudryk from Arsenal in a deal worth up to £88 million.

Shakhtar Donetsk and Arsenal had been in negotiations for months; the player himself had been anxious to join the Premier League leaders, but were completely outclassed by Chelsea’s offer.

The nature of Chelsea’s swoop brought back thoughts of Willian’s 2013 move to the Bridge, when the Brazilian was flown to London by Spurs who believed they had a completely agreed-upon contract.

However, Chelsea came in at the eleventh hour and struck a deal with Anzhi Makhachkala on the day he was scheduled to join with Spurs. Willian has only recently joined the Russian team after spending six years there at Shakhtar, the same team Mudryk also played for.

Even though the team has new owners and is languishing in 10th position, Willian claims it is very difficult to say no when Chelsea come knocking. The similarities between the two clubs are obvious.

‘I can see it’s different but Chelsea is Chelsea,’ the 34-year-old continued.

‘It’s a big club. They are in a difficult moment this season. But they have everything to be back in the top position, to fight for titles, because it is a big club.’

He continued: ‘I was supposed to go to Tottenham. I was in London almost three weeks, waiting, waiting, waiting. And the day that I went to sign my contract with Tottenham, Chelsea came in.

‘My agent said, “Chelsea have called and want you there, what do we do now?” I said I wanted to go to Chelsea.

‘I have respect for Tottenham as well, but it was the best choice of my career, because it was my dream to go to Chelsea. When I was in Ukraine I watched guys like John Terry, Didier Drogba, [Michael] Essien, Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole, a lot of stars.’