Frank Lampard has confirmed Willian remains in talks with Chelsea over a new contract as he praised his low maintenance Brazilian dressing room favourite.
Willian was the hero of Chelsea’s 2-0 win at Tottenham on Sunday, scoring both goals in a performance that was a reminder of his importance and quality.
His current deal expires next summer and he is free to sign a pre-contract agreement with a foreign club from next Wednesday.
Barcelona and Juventus are admirers of winger Willian and the 31 year-old’s imminent availability only increases his appeal.
But Lampard is also a huge fan, backed up by how much he has used Willian, and all but confirmed he will supporting the club’s attempts to keep the club’s 12th highest appearance maker.
Willian has been Chelsea’s most-used winger this season under Lampard, ahead of youngsters Callum Hudson-Odoi and Christian Pulisic and Pedro, 32.
Lampard said:
‘He’s in talks with the club [about a contract], he speaks with the club on the money side of it.
‘[He’s been] Great for me, especially when he plays like he did the other day. It was an incredible performance. He has that talent..
in-Article ‘I knew he had that talent before I got the job. I think I have said this before, but the last year or two I have looked at him from afar and wasn’t sure how much he was enjoying it, whether he felt happy in games.
‘A bit of body language, in and out sometimes. My feeling at the start of the season was to give him his head, tell him how much I feel about him and how I see him.
