Towards the end of last season and ahead of the axing of Antonio Conte as the Chelsea manager, the relationship between the Chelsea player and the manager became, how you might say, a little frosty.
Such was the nature of the frostiness between the two, it very much looked as if Willian could be heading for the Stamford Bridge exit, with Manchester United or Barcelona being mentioned as possible destinations.
However, with Conte’s reign now confined to the history books and with Maurizio Sarri in charge, Willian seems a far happier chap within the Stamford Bridge fold.
So happy in fact that, according to the respected news source Sky Sports, Willian, now 30-years-of-age, has admitted that he never really wanted to leave Stamford Bridge and is hoping to remain at the club for the next five years.
Talking about the summer scenario, our source reports that Willian had this to say:
“A lot of people, they say a lot of things in the press, but I never said that I want to leave Chelsea, never.
“Always I say that I want to stay at Chelsea as long as possible, and I am happy to stay here.”
Reassuring words indeed, but words that are further backed up with:
“I am very happy to be here five years. I have won titles and played a lot of games with a lot of happy moments, and a few sad moments as well but that is part of football. These five years have been very good for me and I am proud to be a Chelsea player.”
Now that’s the attitude we admire.
Here at Vital Chelsea, we’re pleased that Willian has cleared the muddy waters and we welcome his on-going commitment to the club. On his day, Willian can be a world-beater and to have lost him would have left a huge hole in the squad.
Let’s hope he goes on to have a successful season.