Willian remains determined to quit Chelsea this summer despite the appointment of Maurizio Sarri as manager. The Brazilian midfielder fell out with former boss Antonio Conte last season and has been concerned with the negative tactics employed by the side.
Sarri’s arrival has changed the mood around Stamford Bridge with the club expecting the Italian to change the team to an open, free-flowing side. But it is understood that even that has not changed the opinion of Willian, who appears set on quitting the London club this summer hopefully before the transfer window closes.
With Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois also understood to be pushing to leave the club, it presents Sarri with the potential of losing three of the senior members of the Chelsea squad within weeks of taking charge. The ex-Napoli manager yesterday urged the unsettled players to give him a chance to prove himself by spending a week training with him to see for themselves how the could flourish under him. Maurizio Sarri has pleaded with his unsettled players to give him the chance to prove himself.
Willian confirms that Fred is happy to sign for Manchester United, one of the best teams in the world
Yet that is likely to fall on deaf ears with Willian, at least, with the prospect of potential moves to Barcelona or Manchester United being dangled in front of him.
After five seasons at Stamford Bridge, the chance to join another of the big clubs in Europe is proving hard to ignore for the midfielder. He is understood to have spoken extensively with Philippe Coutinho over the course of the World Cup about joining him at Barca. The 29-year-old has been targeted by the La Liga champions, who have already made two separate bids for him over the course of the close season.
The second offer of £60m is close to the ceiling of what the Spanish club want to pay, and Chelsea would find it hard to hold out for more for a player who has two years left to run on his existing deal. United boss Jose Mourinho has also made his interest known, keen to link up again with a player who served him well during his time in charge of Chelsea.
Crucially, both United and Barcelona offer the prospect of Champions League football next season – another consideration for Willian who will know this could be his last opportunity to get a move to another of the big clubs. He is not due to report back for pre-season training until July 27, and Sarri has made it clear he will not call him for talks before then.
Instead the Chelsea new coach would prefer a face to face meeting with any of the players who are thinking of quitting Stamford Bridge. Barca and United could press ahead with their attempts at securing a deal before then. And Real Madrid may also try to push through their double interest in Courtois and Hazard before Sarri has the opportunity to meet his unsettled stars.
Willian grew frustrated at his lack of action under Conte and the Brazilian has been linked to a re- union with Jose Mourinho at Manchester United.
Sarri’s first thing on his to do list was to do his best and convince Hazard,Willian ,Kante and Courtois to stay at the club.The Blues are even ready to hand new deals to all four to head off Spanish giants Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. Sarri feels and hopes his management style is in stark contrast to hardline Antonio Conte, but it looks like his efforts are not working in the Brazilian ace.