When Willian agreed to terminate his contract at Arsenal by mutual consent - waiving his right to millions of pounds in the process - the move to his boyhood club Corinthians looked like the perfect move for the Brazilian. The two-time Premier League winner managed only one goal in all competitions for the Gunners in his single season at the club and terminated his deal with two years remaining, ending his reign in England after switching Anzhi Makhachkala for Chelsea in 2013.
Having struggled to replicate the form he managed for Chelsea at Arsenal, Willian's career has continued to decline in Brazil with Corinthians struggling. Despite winning two of their opening three Brazilian Serie A games, Corinthians find themselves under pressure following their elimination of the Paulista state championship at the semi-final stage by their most fierce rivals Sao Paulo in March.
In the Copa Libertadores, they are currently top of their group after defeating Deportivo Cali and Boca Juniors, but their bleak start was rounded up when they were on the wrong end of a surprise 2-0 defeat to Bolivian outfit Always Ready. Further misery was compounded last weekend when Palmeiras comfortably surpassed Timao 3-0 on Saturday, meaning Willian's time back in his home nation has not reached the perfect heights he would have hoped for.
