Willian joins Chelsea 300 Club, equals Ronaldinho’s Champions League scoring record

With the start against Lille on Wednesday night, Willian Borges da Silva became the 37th player with 300 Chelsea appearances. He’s the 8th “overseas” player to do so, and the 1st from South America. He joins Cesar Azpilicueta (347) as the only other active member of said club after Eden Hazard’s (352) departure this past summer. The other five overseas players to have reached that landmark are Petr Čech (494), Didier Drogba (381), Branislav Ivanović (377), Mikel John Obi (372), and Gianfranco Zola (312).

Willian celebrated this milestone in fantastic style, scoring the team’s second goal for the second game running, this time proving to be the ultimate winning goal as well. It was his second goal of the season, but in an interesting bit of trivia, it was also his 18th in the Champions League, which equals the peerless Ronaldinho. Ronaldinho reached that total in 47 games, with 14 assists, while this match was Willian’s 66th. He has added 15 assists during that time as well.

Not bad company for the 31-year-old, who’s suddenly living up to his No.10 shirt, and then some.

Willian may not have an awesome scoring record, but he gets it done on the European stage.

Head coach Frank Lampard fully agrees, while hinting once again that he hopes a new contract can be worked out with the 6-year Chelsea veteran.

“I have got no news on the Willian contract. That’s a conversation between Willy, his representatives and the club. Everyone can see I’m happy with Willy on the pitch.”

-Frank Lampard; source: Chelsea FC

Congrats on the milestones and the achievements, Big Willi Style!

Sign him up?