Willian has broken his silence regarding his future at Chelsea, saying he intends to stick it out at Stamford Bridge following talks with Maurizio Sarri.
“My will is staying at the club, unless they want to sell me,” the Brazilian winger said after the Blues succumbed to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Manchester City in the Community Shield. Despite having just returned to training on Wednesday that had Sarri initially upset, Willian came off the bench and played the last half hour of the match, suggesting the new Blues manager has faith in the Brazilian to keep his focus amidst all the rumours surrounding his future at the West London club.
The 29-year-old has been recently linked with the likes of Barcelona and Manchester United but he has now publicly stated his desire to stay with the Stamford Bridge outfit. “We never know, but I have been always clear about my wish of staying here,” he continued. “My head is here at the Chelsea, but we never know about tomorrow. I hope to remain at the club.”
The winger admits tensions with then manager Antonio Conte had left him frustrated last season. Matters came to a head at the end of last campaign when Willian posted a photo on Instagram of their side lifting the FA Cup trophy with Conte covered in emojis. Yet with the arrival of Sarri and consequent clear-the-air talks with the former Napoli manager, Willian insists he is only looking forward to the season ahead with the Blues.
“I have always been clear about enjoying playing for Chelsea, I have never (said) that I wanted to leave the club, but some situations that have happened with the other coach left me upset,” said Willian. “But now it’s a new cycle. I had a nice conversation with the new coach. I hope this can be a year of victory for us.”
Sarri is famed for his high-tempo passing and aggressive pressing brand of football and when quizzed on how he has found the new approach of the 59-year-old Italian, Willian admits adapting to it will not be smooth sailing in the initial stages but insists he and his teammates are relishing the challenge. “I have no doubts, it is a game style that we like,” said Willian. “Not just me, but all the players. So we have everything to improve and keep working. At the beginning, it is a little more difficult until we get the new style of play and its changes. But we have it all to start well in the league.”
