Mark
Schwarzer believes Willian is taking on greater responsibility as a key
player for Chelsea after the midfielder scored another direct free-kick on
Tuesday night.
The Brazil international scored Chelsea's second in a 4-0 win over Maccabi
Tel Aviv with a 25-yard free-kick after Gary Cahill had opened the scoring
from Willian's corner.
The midfielder's strike was his fourth set-piece goal from five Champions
League matches, adding to his burgeoning reputation as a dead-ball
specialist.
Schwarzer played alongside Willian at Chelsea, and speaking on Soccer
Special, the former goalkeeper said he believes Willian has stepped up to
take on more responsibility this season.
"His [free-kick ability] has always been on the cusp, at training he was
always very good," Schwarzer told Sky Sports. "I don't think he was given
the role so often early on, and it's only been this season where he's really
stepped up.
"He's the most in-form player at Chelsea, and he's taken the
responsibility."
Jose Mourinho's side moved top of Champions League Group G with the result,
and they need just a point from their final game against Porto to qualify
for the knockout round.
The Chelsea boss criticised the state of the pitch in Haifa after Ramires
and John Terry suffered injuries on the surface, and Schwarzer was not
surprised that Chelsea's best opportunities at the Sammy Ofer Stadium came
from set pieces.
"I said from the beginning the pitch was really bad, it was really bad for a
league game, let alone a Champions League game," Schwarzer continued.
"There were divots everywhere, it was very difficult for players like Eden
Hazard, Oscar, Willian, even Diego Costa, to really play to their strengths.
"It's not a coincidence that three of the four goals came from set plays. It
was purely on the basis that you could get a decent delivery in, and they
did what they had to do.
"They made it comfortable. Saying that, Asmir Begovic did make two very good
saves to keep the clean sheet."
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