WILLIAN SAYS THERE is “no chance” he would have stayed at Chelsea if Antonio Conte had remained as the club’s head coach.
Conte was replaced by fellow Italian Maurizio Sarri at Stamford Bridge, with the new man in charge seeing Chelsea win 3-0 at Huddersfield Town in their Premier League opener on Saturday.
With Eden Hazard not deemed fit enough to start, Willian was included in Sarri’s team, joining Alvaro Morata and Pedro in a three-pronged forward line.
But the Brazil international has confirmed he would have sought a transfer from Chelsea had Conte not been dismissed by the Blues.
“Would I be here if Conte stayed? No chance. No,” Willian told reporters.
“I’m here. I’m here because I want to play for Chelsea. I will only leave if Chelsea want me to go.”
Willian was linked with a move to Manchester United during the transfer window, with the 30-year-old confirming he would be interested in working with former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho again.
Barcelona also reportedly had a series of bids turned down for Willian, who made no secret of the breakdown in his relationship with Conte, even placing trophy emojis over the coach in a social media post, although he later blamed that on his daughter.
Goals from N’Golo Kante, Jorginho and Pedro helped Chelsea enjoy a winning start under Sarri, with Willian enjoying the style of play under the former Napoli coach.
“We have a lot of players with quality up front, players like Eden Hazard and Pedro. Players like that want to play football,” Willian added.
“That’s why Sarri talked about ‘fun’ football because he wants to build from the back. This is what we will try to do this season.
“This is what we do in Brazil and are trying to do here, playing with skill and movement and the manager told us to do that.”
- Omni
Pity he couldn’t do same ref Republic
@billy Dorney: think he’s not alone there. Ireland under MON play way too negative to get the best of our limited enough squad with Brady being one of only a few that possess some decent quality.
@billy Dorney: you prob seen loads of goals like that in the Loi Billy? same as Griffiths for celtic.
@Ado Smith: MONs tactics aren’t to blame for constantly not being able to clear the first man from corners/free kicks. I wouldn’t be a MON fan by any stretch if the imagination but Brady has been terrible for country for a long time now
@Kieran: MON would rightfully say he has probably got as much out of this squad as is possible but Brady being poor for a few matches including club (Euros weren’t that long ago where he was excellent!) doesn’t say he’s suddenly a crap player. Not the only one who has being poor for us, McLean being the obvious exception. Just not good enough at the moment but terrible to watch when O’Neill is nearly as distrusting of his players as Trappatoni to play anyway expansive.
@@baz6375: watch the LOI Goal of the Month Competition recently. Screamers every week
@Zossima: I have watched them.havent seen any free kicks as good as Griffiths.its all opinion though I know.
@Ado Smith: McLean has been a real tryer for us.i think only for that goal against Wales we wouldn’t be bigging him up as much though.that goal papers over a lot of cracks as good as it was. I see him back in the championship soon tbh.hes all about effort as opposed to technique.that only gets ya so far,especially in the position he plays as well.
@@baz6375: Your 100% right but with MON system he was essential. All the one now. Don’t think we’ll be at another major championship anytime soon unfortunately
@Ado Smith: ya.agree on both counts. unfortunately.
@Ado Smith: agree
@@baz6375: certainly did, have a look at paddy mccourts wonder goal last season, reminiscent of George Best
@Zossima: well said
@@baz6375: have u been to many LOI games last season? If so where? If not, why not?
@billy Dorney: been to see City few times Billy.league is definitely improved.I can admit that
@Ado Smith: sadly, you’re probably right
Just shows that MON didnt know how to utilise certain players because hendrick and brady are quality for burnley and poor for ireland
He’s in my fantasy team lovely
Can’t see the video, is there an alternative link?
@Jack O’Connell: cheers jack
Brady , Hendrick and Ward can play football for Burnley and Martin O’ Neill only lets them play hoofball for Ireland .
Martin O’ Neill has fallen behind todays football . Give us a manager that wants to play some football at least .
Wonderful things can happen when the manager decides to play the player in the actual position he built his reputation playing in. Think Brady ended up playing about 3 different positions in that Denmark game, as MON’s old mentor famously said ‘football is a simple game made complicated by idiots’. MON’s tactics as Ireland manager are idiotic!!