Willian has reportedly rejected a new contract offer from Chelsea and could ditch them for a Premier League rival.
UOL claims Willian, 31, has been offered a two-year deal by Frank Lampard after taking over from Eden Hazard as Chelsea’s main playmaker. The Blues have a policy of only offering one-year extensions to players over the age of 30.
But they made an exception for David Luiz when he penned a two-year contract before his shock move to Arsenal. And Roman Abramovich is bending his own rules once again after hearing Lampard’s pleas to keep Willian at Stamford Bridge.
The Brazilian has stated plenty of times that he wants to remain in London. But it’s reckoned Willian wants a three-year contract to see out his career with Chelsea. And he has no interest in signing on for just two more seasons, leading to speculation of a move to capital rivals Tottenham, who controversially missed out on the Samba star in 2013.
Jose Mourinho signed Willian for Chelsea then after he was on the verge of a move to White Hart Lane, and the pair got on famously as they won the title in 2015. The forward recently revealed his admiration for the Portuguese tactician. And he could now be in line to play for Mourinho once again, with Spurs ready to meet his three-year demand.
Manchester United were heavily linked with Willian during the Special One’s time there, too. It now remains to be seen if Chelsea tear up their over-30s policy for the free-kick specialist, who told Esporte Interativo just last week that talks are at loggerheads.
Willian admitted: “Chelsea offered me two years and they are not going to change what they offered. I said I wanted three more years. The situation is difficult because of this, I really don’t know if it will be possible. My goal is to continue working and focus on this remainder of the season so that Chelsea can continue winning games.”
Willian has scored 58 goals in 328 appearances for Chelsea, winning two Premier League titles, one FA Cup and the 2019 Europa League in the process.
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