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In an interview with ESPN Brasil — here’s the video — Willian sidestepped a question about how happy he is with Antonio Conte in a rather telling way, laughing off the query and telling the reporter that perhaps “some other” time it would be better to talk about it.
@D_Peezy watching Willian interview for ESPN Brasil. journalist Gian Oddi asked about Conte. Willian's answer: "Oh boy. Do you really want me to tell you?" -journalists and Willian really laughing- "Well, some other..., let's save it for one next interview". Conte is really out
— Marcio Canedo (@marcioacanedo) May 16, 2018
The question was along the lines of whether Willian “still likes Conte more than other players”, to which Willian begins his answer with “Oh boy, do you really want me to tell you [the truth]?” — not exactly the way to begin that answer if he still in fact was as happy with the head coach as before.
These hints are just the latest in the building narrative of Conte having a “strained relationship” with at least a few key players, including most notably Eden Hazard and now Willian, too. Of course, Willian’s reaction to being substituted against Southampton in the FA Cup semifinal, storming down the tunnel after Tiemoue Bakayoko replaced him, already got tongues wagging in that direction.
Willian has maintained a strong commitment to Chelsea all along, so recent renewed reports of “informal talks” between his entourage and Manchester United are probably nothing to be too concerned about, especially if the source of his unhappiness at Chelsea is increasingly the coach who is on his way out anyway.
Some of this is speculation based on body language and hints. Some of this is connecting the dots. Some of it may even be just a bit of PR to shape the narrative. Either way, we’re probably into the final week of Conte’s tenure with one game to play. Just need to come together one last time, and win it to end these two years on a good note.