Willian Reiterates Desire To Stay At Chelsea

By Max Wise

Willian has reiterated his desire to stay at Chelsea after his match-winning performance against Newcastle United on Saturday.

The 30-year-old Brazilian has been linked with a move to Barcelona after the Spanish champions revived their interest in the former Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder.

Barcelona unsuccessfully pursued Willian in the last transfer window, and a player-plus-cash deal involving his countryman Malcom, who is struggling for playing time at the Nou Camp, has been mooted.

Asked by reporters about his future after Saturday’s game, Willian replied,"My future? It's here at Chelsea."

"I don't know what you're talking about. I didn't see the newspapers."

Meanwhile, Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri, believes it is imperative to keep Willian at the Stamford Bridge club.

"For us Willian is really a very important player," said Sarri. "We need wingers, so we need Pedro, we need (Callum Hudson-) Odoi, we need Willian of course.

"In this moment, he's a fundamental player - he has to stay with us."

Chelsea snatched Willian from the clutches of Tottenham Hotspurs in the summer of 2013 after the Brazilian had completed a medical with the North London club, only for the Blues to hijack the deal and pay Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala £30m for his services.

Willian has made 31 appearances in all competitions for Chelsea this season, contributing five goals.