Conte doesn’t want players who don’t have the ‘pleasure to stay’ at Chelsea

When it comes down to it, Antonio Conte does not overcomplicate things.

Work is what gets results. Commitment is what drives the work. There is no magic wand. There is obsession, attention to detail, and a relentless single-minded pursuit of perfection, of wins and trophies. Pleasure is derived from the work, not the other way around. And if that’s not good enough for you, then there’s the door.

Simple as that.

"First of all the players must have pleasure to stay at Chelsea. This is the first important thing. For me, this is very important, that every single player who wants to stay at Chelsea has the pleasure to stay at Chelsea.”

-Antonio Conte; source: Goal

That answer was in response to a question in the pre-match press conference about whether Conte was feeling confident that our “key players” (Costa, Hazard, Courtois, Fabregas were mentioned by name) were going to stay for next season. In the subsequent reporting, the players most often brought up have been Costa and Willian, the latter of whom is once again being linked with Manchester United.

Willian may or may not have grown a bit disillusioned with his role this season — which is certainly a part where Conte’s words about the pleasure of playing for Chelsea could apply — and in talking with Brazilian media, he’s admitted that his future is up in the air at this time even if he’s “very happy” at Chelsea.

Here [in England] speculations are heavy. Of course I am very happy when I hear about other managers interested in me, but today I am a Chelsea player. I have a contract until 2020 and I am very happy here at the club. I am happy living in London and my family is well adapted here as well."

"My future is in God's hands, may his will be made. If I stay, I will be very happy. And if I have to leave, may it be to a place where I will be honoured."

"[But] I am very happy at Chelsea. I have always been venerated by the fans here. The crowd has a lot of affection for me. I will try to give back on that until the last day of my contract with Chelsea."

-Willian; Source: ESPN Brasil

Could Willian be on his way out this summer? It’s not inconceivable by any means...