Fulham winger Willian has spoken out on the reasons he left Arsenal in the summer of 2021.
The Brazilian international decided to rip up his contract just a year after arriving from Chelsea on a free transfer, and he said there was a lack of motivation that pushed him to take the drastic step:
“I think I’m maybe the only player who has done something like this [cancelled contract early]. Any other player in my situation would have stayed until the end of the contract and kept picking up the money. But I’m not like this. Money is not the most important thing in the world. I have to feel good, to feel motivated to go to training. I wasn’t having that there so I decided to leave.”
Willian cited the lack of fans in the stadium as one of the key factors for his unhappiness and that then prompted his move back home to Brazil rather than sitting out the final year of his deal with the Gunners. Supporters on Twitter have praised the player for the way he handled the situation:
True professional
— Tj 🔴⚪ (@TjJones7777) September 22, 2022
always respected the way he left
— Ruben (@ArtetaBaII) September 22, 2022
Only one Chelsea player I can fully appreciate 😛😛😛😛
— Ruben🇸🇬 (@ruben30393931) September 22, 2022
Pure professional
— Sedrick (@Sedrick_Ug) September 22, 2022
That's why I'll always have respect for willian, the move did not work out, but he could leave with his head held high. Leaving money on the table was something he wasn't obliged to do, so fair play to him.
— andre gøtti (@and_got) September 22, 2022
Respect.
— Joey Franchini (@JFranchini26) September 22, 2022
Good player but he joined the team in the bad time when the team was struggling
— @DREWSIBIYA (@Drew88142443) September 22, 2022
Classy man
— eagle47 (@seaeagles1947) September 22, 2022
As Willian himself points out, it’s almost unheard of for a footballer to terminate a contract without the club paying some compensation. He clearly wasn’t enjoying his football. Unfortunately, things didn’t get any better for him when he joined Corinthians and he was heavily criticised for his performances before he came back to London last month. He will be hoping for a better experience at Craven Cottage.