Forget what you’ve been hearing all summer
Willian, despite being a permanent fixture in the transfer gossip columns all summer, is set to stay put at Chelsea.
The Brazilian has been linked with moves to Manchester United, Barcelona and Real Madrid in recent weeks after his creative use of emoji made it clear he wasn’t on the best of terms with Antonio Conte at the end of last season.
Since then, however, things have changed. Conte has been replaced by Maurizio Sarri, and Willian has now confirmed that his future lies at Stamford Bridge.
“This is just the beginning,” he said to football.london after Chelsea’s Community Shield defeat to Manchester City on Sunday “I’ve been only in three training sessions.
“We have a new season with a new philosophy, everything is new for everyone. But this team has everything to improve in all aspects.
“The people know we have a lot of competitions to play. If we work hard we can achieve a lot of things.
“I always told him [Sarri] I’m really happy playing for Chelsea. I never talk about me leaving the club.”
With Willian now set to stay at the club it’s still to be seen whether Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois remain at Stamford Bridge. The Belgian internationals have been linked with moves to Real Madrid since Chelsea failed to qualify for the Champions League last season.
Courtois has reportedly agreed terms with the European champions already although his departure could hinge on whether or not Chelsea can bring in a replacement goalkeeper.
Hazard is expected to return to Chelsea this week but has been one of several names in the frame to replace Cristiano Ronaldo at the Bernabeu following the Portuguese’s big money move to Juventus earlier this summer.
