

In the 2013 interview Willian revealed Jose Mourinho’s words to him when he joined the squad.

‘The manager welcomed me to the club and told me he was happy that I was here,’ he said back then. ‘He told me to work hard. He said we have a very strong team but when you work hard there are rewards.’

The Brazilian clearly worked hard enough. His 49 appearances last season was only bettered in number by Eden Hazard and in 2013/14 he played 42 games.

His worth to his manager is enhanced by his ability to perform in several of the attacking positions and his important role in delivering set-pieces. He took the second-most last season after Cesc Fabregas. Indeed in his pre-match conference on Friday, Mourinho made it quite clear that the arrival of Pedro has no impact on Willian’s future at the club.

The player considers his regular selection in the side.

‘When I came I said to myself I have to work a lot, I have to try to do my best in training and in the games, so after that I improve. I am improving a lot and I play so many games. Now I have more experience in the best league in the world for me, and every game is hard, so to play here you have to work hard and improve yourself.

‘For me it is no problem to play in the middle or on the left side or the right side. I want to help the team, and always when I was a young player in Brazil at Corinthians and when I play in Shakhtar, I took the set plays, so for me no problem either, I like to do that.’

For many, Willian hit the best form of his Chelsea career in the closing months of last season and he does not disagree with that view. It followed on with him regarded as one of Brazil’s most important players in the Copa America in the summer, especially after a suspension for Neymar.

‘I am happy about that and I feel good. My confidence goes up and I play good on the pitch. I try to do skills and to shoot and score goals and I want to do more.’

Asked to choose his favourite memory from his time at Chelsea so far, other than the days when the league and the Capital One Cup were won, he goes back to his first season and a home Champions League night.

‘When we played against PSG and we win 2-0 at home and in the last minutes of the game Demba Ba scored. At this moment the atmosphere in the stadium was so amazing and this was a great day.’

Throughout these two years at Chelsea the football action has been accompanied throughout by the ‘Willian, he saw the light’ song from the fans. It is one of the most constantly sung and clearly isn’t fading away.

‘They are not forgetting about this situation and the song is a very good song,’ the subject of the refrain smiles. ‘It is good for me and I think they have to continue.’