The Premier League may be the promised land for many overseas players, but life can be hard thousands of miles from home, especially in times of family illness and bereavement.

On player who knows the pain of separation is Willian who has now revealed the impact his mother’s death had on him and his football. Chelsea’s Brazilian midfielder was given compassionate leave by the club in October after Dona Zeze, his 57-year-old mother, passed away after more than two years suffering with a brain tumour. Although Willian soon returned from South America Chelsea were then into their extended winning run and he struggled to regain his place in the starting line-up. Saturday’s victory at Crystal Palace was the first time he had been in the starting line-up on merit since returning to England.

“It has been a difficult time for me since I lost my mum,” he said. “It has been very difficult emotionally. She was very important for me and she always will be very important to me. After she died, I stayed in Brazil for a week. Slowly I have come back and started to feel better and to feel I can play for the team.”

Willian’s mother was still undergoing treatment when he scored against Hull City on October 1, the first Chelsea’s 11 Premier League victories in succession. He dedicated that goal then to her. He then went to Brazil, for international duty, and she died while he was there.

When he returned he had lost his place to Pedro and with the Spaniard performing so well in Antonio Conte’s 4-3-3 Willian did not start another league game until Hazard was suspended against Sunderland last week. However, he kept his place against Palace. “Now I have to think only about the good things and to keep working, keep playing. That’s what I want to do,” added Willian.

Chelsea next play Bournemouth, at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day, but without Diego Costa and N’Golo Kante who will be suspended. “Diego is such an important player for us,” said Willian of his compatriot. “He is playing well, scoring goals. It will be difficult without him for that game, but we have players who can come in and do well. We to try to keep doing the same thing – winning, winning, taking game by game.”