Willian commits his future to Chelsea, is ‘very happy’ at ‘his club’

The rumor mill says he’s leaving, but the player himself disagrees. It’s a story as old as time itself, or at least professional football. The latest example: Willian.

The Chelsea winger was strongly courted by Barcelona, has been photoshopped in a Manchester United shirt, and recently even Real Madrid possibly made an offer. But Willian himself isn’t planning on going anywhere.

“No, I’m back to England. I’m very happy at Chelsea. I’m very happy living in London.”

-Willian; source: Globo via Sport Witness

Like the rest of the remaining summer-breakers, Willian is due back to football sometime (early?) this week, and as he confirmed on Brazilian television, that will be happening with “his club” Chelsea. Not Barcelona, not Manchester United, not Real Madrid. Chelsea. He’s pretty clear on that.

Willian had not really addressed the rumors swirling around while he was at the World Cup, so they had been allowed to grow basically unchecked. Did the Barcelona move falling through change his mind? Maybe. Maybe not. The only thing that seems clear is that despite his apparent unhappiness towards the end of the season, he’s here to stay.

That said, he has two years left on his contract and is about to turn 30. The prudent business move would be to sell (and buy Pulisic or some other young replacement), while the prudent sentimental move would be to offer a new multi-year contract. If most of the rest of the summer is any indication however, Chelsea will just stand still and let the status quo carry on.