Juventus looking to abscond with Willian for free from Chelsea — report

Only a few thing in life are certain: death, taxes, Messi scoring goals, Chelsea changing managers, and Juventus getting every good player who runs out his contract. Andrea Pirlo, Paul Pogba, Kingsley Coman, Sami Khedira, Aaron Ramsey, Emre Can, and many more have all been signed by Juventus on a free transfer at some point.

Now, for their next trick, the Old Lady are looking to add another jewel to their crown of frees, by going after Willian when his contract expires at the end of the season. That’s according to Daily Mail, who conveniently ignore that Willian reportedly agreed a two-year extension with Chelsea earlier this summer after pushing for a similar deal that David Luiz got a bit earlier. Of course, until the extension is officially official, anything can happen, and Juventus would be able to talk to Willian in January as per the Bosman rules (see also: Bayern and Callum Hudson-Odoi).

Perhaps this rumor serves as motivation to get the Willian deal signed, sealed, and delivered — either to ensure the player of a steady future (or as steady as any future can be after David Luiz left two months after he signed on for two years), or to ensure that Chelsea receive a transfer fee if and when he’s eventually transferred out. Willian, alongside Pedro, is one of the last remaining veteran stalwarts holding on to dear life as the waves of the youth revolution crash all around them.

That said, Frank Lampard said at the end of July that he wanted Willian to stay and was hoping that an extension could be signed. However, nothing has come to fruition in the month since, even as Willian has worked his way back to full fitness (though not a full complement of minutes yet).

So while it would be surprising to see Willian leave for free (especially after Chelsea reportedly left tens of millions on the table from Barcelona), you never know in football. Willian-to-Juventus on a free (Sarri or no Sarri, if that even matters) is one of those headlines that really isn’t outside of the realm of possibilities.

Whatever may be the case, we will find out soon enough.