Willian eager to stay at Chelsea despite exit rumours
LONDON: Willian insisted he had no intention of leaving Chelsea after his superb goal sealed a 2-1 win at home to Newcastle on Saturday.
Newcastle, threatened with relegation from the Premier League, had seen Ciaran Clark score a surprise equaliser before half-time after an early goal from Pedro put Chelsea ahead at Stamford Bridge.
But with the Magpies making life tough for their hosts, Willian’s brilliant curling shot in the 57th minute secured all three points for the Blues.
It was just his fifth goal of the season and first in the league since October but Willian told BT Sport: “I think it’s always difficult in the Premier League. “We have to be more clinical... I scored a good goal. I found the space and put the ball exactly where I wanted.”
Willian has been repeatedly linked with a move away from Chelsea but he was adamant he wanted to stay at the west London club.
“My future is here at Chelsea, I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.
Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri was equally keen for Willian to remain a member of his squad, especially as he is deploying Eden Hazard as a striker.
“You know very well that Willian for us is a very important player,” Sarri told reporters. “In my opinion, Willian has to stay with us.
“With Eden playing as a striker we need wingers. In this moment he is a fundamental player.”