Wednesday 25 November 2015 00:12, UK
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."
