Chelsea's Champions League campaign this season has gone a tiny bit better than their Premier League efforts, but it was still a nerve-racking Group Stage for the Blues. They eventually topped Group G by defeating Porto on the last matchday. For his individual brilliance in the six matches, Willian has been named to the Champions League Group Stage Best XI by UEFA.
Introducing the https://t.co/sQezPQoaea #UCL team of the group stage... pic.twitter.com/Tqo5uqy6xv
— Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) December 15, 2015
The Brazilian has been a breath of fresh air into the lungs of an otherwise lifeless Chelsea season. Five of Willian's seven goals this season have come in the European Cup, with most of them coming by way of the free kick variety. He's transformed into simply one of the most deadliest set piece specialists in the world this season.
I shudder to think just how much more dire Chelsea's 2015-16 outlook would be if not for the emergence of Willian this season.
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Here is the full CL Team of the Group Stage:
GK: Kevin Trapp - PSG
DEF: David Alaba - Bayern Munich
DEF: Diego Godin - Atletico Madrid
DEF: Thiago Silva - PSG
DEF: Andrea Barzagli - Juventus
MID: Raheem Sterling - Manchester City
MID: Willian - Chelsea
MID: Sven Kums - Gent
FWD: Cristiano Ronaldo - Real Madrid
FWD: Hulk - Zenit
FWD: Thomas Muller - Bayern Munich