Chelsea and Spurs on alert as Willian's Anzhi move falls through

Chelsea target Willian had been firmly expected to move to mega-rich Russian outfit Anzhi Makhachkala, but that failed to materialise today.

Chelsea and Spurs have long been admirers of the Brazilian playmaker, who has been outstanding for Shakhtar Donetsk for some time now. He scored 3 goals against the Blues this season in his 2 Champions League games, and played an integral part in Chelsea’s expulsion from the competition they won only last season.

Spurs are keen to add some creativity to their midfield, having sold the likes of Rafael Van Der Vaart and Luka Modric last summer. They had failed to sign Joao Moutinho on deadline day over the summer, and were expected to add to their midfield options this month.

The Brazilian admitted to being in contact with Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas, and declared once more of his wishes to leave the Ukrainian club.

Willian said: “Everyone inside Shakhtar knows I am keen to leave.”

On Tottenham Hotspur boss AVB, he added: “Villas-Boas is a good guy, we speak on the phone and are constantly in touch.”

The 25 year-old is keen to leave Ukraine, adding: “I do not intend to be here any longer after the next window.

“On the other hand, nowadays things are much different from when I arrived. Shakhtar get more attention, we are in the Champions League.

Shakhtar know the situation and are already planning for life without their star player, having recently signed a ready made replacement in the form of Taison Freda.

“It is no secret that he has arrived to take my position when I leave,” Willian said. “Everybody knows this.”

Willian is no doubt an outstanding player who possesses a great amount of flair, and is a player who can change a game in the way that Juan Mata can. Mata has almost single-handedly won some of Chelsea’s games this season, and we need more match-winning players in his mould.