Will has a blast at Conte
WILLIAN has taken a swipe at Antonio Conte by claiming he would have quit Chelsea had his old boss not been axed.
The Brazil winger was the subject of failed summer bids from Barcelona – the biggest at £65m – with Manchester United and Real Madrid also keen.
But Willian looks ready to stay at Stamford Bridge, despite European clubs still being able to sign him, having been won over by new boss Maurizio Sarri.
Asked if he would have stayed had the club not ditched Conte, Willian said: “No chance. I’m here because I want to play for Chelsea.”
Willian, 30, had a rocky relationship with Conte and posted a controversial image on Instagram after Chelsea’s FA Cup win over United in May, blocking out a celebrating Conte. He said his daughter posted it.
Sarri has vowed to bring back the fun and Willian is smiling again after playing a key role in Saturday’s 3-0 win at Huddersfield.
Chelsea host Arsenal on Saturday, having won just once in seven games against the Gunners under Conte.
Willian said: “We have a good chance to turn the results around against them because now we have a different way to play.
“The manager tells us to play, to enjoy ourselves with responsibility. Is it fun to play this way? I think so.”
Chelsea’s £40m flop Tiemoue Bakayoko, 23, is going to AC Milan on a seasonlong loan with a view to a £35.7m move next year.