Willian will not make a decision on his Fulham future until the end of the season, according to head coach Marco Silva.
The Brazilian wide player signed a one-year deal with Fulham last summer, with an option to extend his contract.
Fulham faced late competition to renew terms with Willian after a strong first season at Craven Cottage, where he scored five goals and registered six assists as Silva’s side finished 10th in the Premier League. The inclusion of a one-year option was a late addition to help secure his signature.
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Willian has again been influential for Fulham this season, contributing four league goals and two assists from 24 appearances. In an interview with Brazilian outlet Trivela this week, Willian revealed that Fulham had “signaled that they want me to stay”.
However at the age of 35, the wide player wants to take time to consider his position.
“The Willian situation is more or less the same as last season,” said Marco Silva.
“When he first joined us, he signed a one year deal. During the season I had conversations with him and we decided to leave it for the end of the season.
“This season I have had some conversations with him throughout. He’s going to wait until the end of the season. Of course it’s important for a player at his age to assess how’s feeling, to analyse the season and then take decisions. Of course we respect that situation for him.”
Last week, Fulham confirmed that Silva’s assistant coach, Luis Boa Morte, would depart the club at the end of the season. He will become the new head coach of Guinea-Bissau.
GO DEEPER
Boa Morte to depart Fulham for Guinea-Bissau head coach role
Boa Morte first linked up with Silva at Everton, following the departure of Joao Pedro Sousa, who had worked with Silva since his first club, at Estoril in Portugal.
Silva and Boa Morte have been friends since they were teenagers, first crossing paths at Portuguese club Cova de Piedade.
Silva called Boa Morte’s departure a “natural thing” and confirmed he had a replacement in mind.
“One of the things I want from people around me is not just to be there, I want people with ambition,” Silva said on Thursday.
“If they have ambition, and they have the chance to go, why not? I like to help the players, I also like to help the people around me. That’s my way to see it.
“If I can help them in any way I will do it. We didn’t have conversations every single week or month about it, of course not. But it’s something that we can always talk about.”
Boa Morte’s departure had been long anticipated and on whether he had a replacement in mind, Silva said: “Of course. You know me. If I have plans for the players for next season, then I have the things clear in my mind (for staff too).”
Fulham, who are 12th in the Premier League, travel to bottom of the table Sheffield United on Saturday.
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They have a clean bill of health after the international break, including Calvin Bassey, who returned early from international duty with Nigeria after a knee issue picked up against Tottenham.
“In his first session in the national team he felt something, he was not able to keep training,” said Silva. “He decided to come back. We assessed him, he looks OK. Since last Tuesday he’s been working, 100 per cent fit. He will be available for the match.”
(Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images)
