Former Chelsea and Arsenal winger Willian has opened up about the biggest regret of his career, admitting he should never have left Stamford Bridge for their London rivals in 2020.
The Contract Dispute That Sparked a Move
The Brazilian forward, now 37, departed Chelsea after a seven-year spell following a disagreement over the length of a new deal. Willian, then 32, wanted a three-year contract but the club would only offer two years. This impasse led him to make the controversial switch across London to join Mikel Arteta's Arsenal on a free transfer.
A Costly and Unhappy Chapter at the Emirates
Willian's time at Arsenal proved to be brief and deeply unsatisfactory. Despite being excited by the project presented by then-technical director Edu and manager Arteta, his happiness faded quickly. He was earning a reported £240,000 per week, but after just three months he asked his agent to find him a way out.
"I wasn’t happy, that’s why I didn’t perform," Willian confessed in a past interview with Rio Ferdinand. He described it as "the most difficult time" of his career and felt it was "unfair" to stay solely for the money.
The Financial and Professional Fallout
In a monumental decision, Willian waived the final two years of his lucrative Arsenal contract in 2021. This act of terminating his deal early represented a total financial loss of £20.5 million. He subsequently returned to his boyhood club, Corinthians in Brazil, accepting a staggering 70% pay cut.
His career revival came with a return to the Premier League and London, signing for Fulham. It was at Craven Cottage that he rediscovered his form and love for the game.
Reflecting with Sky Sports, Willian was unequivocal about his mistake. "Yeah. I wish I'd never left," he stated. "Of course it's easy to say now, but when I stop and think about all the situations... I say to myself 'I wish I never left'. It's life. I'm happy now at Fulham, enjoying myself there."
