No Brazilian has played more Premier League games than Willian

The afro shimmering through the crisp air is unmistakable. The shift inside his full-back towards the edge of the box is unstoppable. The arcing finish beyond the diving goalkeeper is glorious.

Willian, ladies and gentleman, is the introverted Brazilian who has been strutting his Samba style in England — but for a brief period back with boyhood club Corinthians — for a decade now.

Against Nottingham Forest last Wednesday, the 35-year-old became the first Brazilian to rack up 300 Premier League appearances.

One of the most potent attacking players in the modern era of English football. Breathless in full flow as he pounces on his full-back. Relentless in tracking back to help his own defence.

A head coach’s dream. But what’s his secret? Sushi. Willian is very particular about what he eats but put a spicy tuna roll in front of him and he’ll find it hard to resist.

Indeed, Willian takes his diet very seriously. He is a stickler for portion control and will never eat out of proportion. Minimal oil, no fried foods. Lean meats, green vegetables, low carbohydrates.

His regimented approach to nutrition has worked wonders: his shape has hardly altered since that day he arrived at Chelsea from Anzhi Makhachkala as a 25-year-old in 2013. It is that discipline that made him a mainstay of five Chelsea managers.

Of course, you can’t discuss Willian’s successes in England without acknowledging THAT collapsed move to Spurs. The story is well told, Willian — at the Tottenham training ground ready to sign — dashes across London to sign for Chelsea.

Why? Cynics will say it was the money: Chelsea were among the best payers at the time. But it wasn’t just about the finances. ‘Willian’s heart wanted to play Champions League football —and Chelsea