WILLIAN: I WILL PLAY ON AFTER MY DEAL ENDS
CHELSEA winger Willian is prepared to play on when his contract expires after the Premier League voted to extend the season indefinitely.
The Brazil forward, 31, is among a string of high-profile stars whose deals end on June 30. Others include his team-mates Pedro and Olivier Giroud, Tottenham’s Jan Vertonghen and Bournemouth’s Ryan Fraser.
But with the coronavirus crisis wrecking the football calendar, Willian insists he will not walk away in July.
Instead, he is ready to stay “loyal to the club” in order to help Frank Lampard’s Chelsea team complete their chase for a Champions League spot.
“My contract really ends I think in July,” he said. “And if I had to play on those dates, in these months, it would be no problem for me to end the league in a way which would be loyal to the club, as they always were with me. Regardless of a signed paper.
“It’s clear that this is not a certainty, we don’t know what can happen. But without a doubt, as always, I will always be ready to give the best to my club, regardless of my contract situation.”
Willian wants a new two-year deal, but Chelsea – as per their policy for players over 30 – are only offering one.
Arsenal, Spurs and Barcelona are among the long-term admirers monitoring developments.
A switch to Tottenham would see him move to the club he almost joined in 2013 before Chelsea swooped.
Willian has won the Premier League twice, the FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League at Stamford Bridge.