Willian has opened up about the dramatic late developments in his move to England back in August 2013, when he needed little convincing from Jose Mourinho to choose Chelsea over Premier League rivals Tottenham.
Chelsea sacked Mourinho last week and replaced him with Guus Hiddink until the end of the season, but Willian has shone in a struggling side this term, scoring six free-kicks and seven goals in total in all competitions.
The Blues hijacked Spurs' attempts to sign the Brazilian midfielder at the 11th hour, and Willian has spoken to Chelsea TV about his delight at having chosen Stamford Bridge over White Hart Lane.
Willian trains in front of new Chelsea interim manager Guus Hiddink ahead of the hectic festive period
The 27-year-old says it was a dream to sign for the Blues from Russia side Anzhi Makhachkala in August 2013
'I don't know how I can explain that moment,' Willian began when asked to recall the day he completed his £32million move from Russia side Anzhi Makhachkala.
'But I think it was the best moment in my life when I signed with Chelsea because it was my dream to come here, so when I came I was very happy to play for Chelsea and to win titles here.'
Given his expectations, the former Shakhtar Donetsk playmaker would never have envisaged the west London club languishing in the bottom half of the table with 18 points from 17 games after lifting the Premier League trophy in May.
But Willian has no regrets over turning down the chance to play under Andre Villas-Boa at Spurs, having already picked up two major honours at the midway stage of his current five-year deal with the Blues.
Brazilian Willian has been one of few players to cover themselves in any glory for Chelsea this season
The former Tottenham target attempts to curl one of his trademark free-kicks over the Sunderland wall
'Yeah, it was difficult because all that was left was to go to Tottenham but I didn't sign as in the last moment Chelsea came in,' the set-piece specialist continued. 'I said, "I'm sorry but I go to Chelsea. That's my dream, I have to go there, I don't care, but I go there."'
Willian, 27, said after being granted a work permit two-and-a-half years ago that he was about to play under 'one of the best managers in the world', and Mourinho delivered a league and Capital One Cup double last season.
But having failed collectively to replicate such results this term, Hiddink will hope his new players look to the Brazil international's level of consistency in the remainder of the campaign, starting with the visit of Watford on Boxing Day.
Willian will hope his good form continues under new management at the defending Premier League champions
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