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Five and a half seasons. Two Premier League titles. 289 appearances. Now 49 goals. Willian insists his Chelsea story isn’t ending there (just like Sarri insisted in his post-match press conference).
Willian on rumours of leaving Chelsea to BT Sport: "My future is Chelsea? I don't know what you're talking about." #CFC #CHENEW
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) January 12, 2019
Speaking to BT Sport prior to Chelsea’s 2-1 victory over Newcastle United on Saturday, Willian claimed ignorance on any rumors linking him with a January exit.
After the match, speaking to ESPN Brasil, he was a bit more forthcoming, but remained adamant that anything reported in the papers was worth nothing more than the paper it was printed on, if that.
Conversamos c/ Willian sobre a suposta proposta do Barcelona q foi noticiada nesta semana: “Não chegou até mim. Se chegou no clube, eles tb não me disseram nada. Vi que na internet saíram algumas coisas. Mas estou com a cabeça voltada aqui, ainda tenho um ano e meio de contrato.”
— Natalie Gedra (@ngedra) January 12, 2019
That’s Willian saying if there was a Barcelona bid, “it did not come to me” and “if it arrived at the club, they didn’t tell me anything”. He of course “saw it on the Internet” but his “head is here” where he still has a year and a half left on his contract.
So, he clearly knows what the rumors are talking about, but unlike in the summer, he did not confirm Barcelona’s approach. Either way, it doesn’t sound like he’s looking to leave, at least not yet.
Obviously, that all could change in the summer, and in a way, we should expect it to change. Chelsea have already signed Christian Pulisic and if we have any hope of keeping Callum Hudson-Odoi, we have to start phasing out the older players like Willian and Pedro, both of whom are over 30 and will be entering the final year of their contracts.
Until then, let’s see more of this, Big Willi Style!