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Willian ends Manchester United and Barcelona transfer speculation by committing his future to Chelsea

Willian was linked with moves to Manchester United and Barcelona but admits he is happy with life at Chelsea

Monday 06 August 2018 11:37 BST

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Maurizio Sarri: Willian talks have been ‘very positive’ but confusion over Thibaut Courtois

Chelsea midfielder Willian has put an end to speculation about his future at Stamford Bridge by insisting he never wanted to leave the club.

The Brazilian winger was linked with potential moves to Manchester United and Barcelona after appearing to fall out with Antonio Conte.

Chelsea were convincingly beaten by Manchester City in the Community Shield and begin the season without Champions League football for the second time in Willian’s five years in west London, but he revealed he remains content with life at the club.

Community Shield: Chelsea vs Manchester City player ratings

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1/22Community Shield: Chelsea vs Manchester City player ratings

Community Shield: Chelsea vs Manchester City player ratings

Willy Caballero - 8/10

Unlikely to feature too much this season barring injury, but had an improved second half as he denied Aguero and Jesus on several occasions.

REUTERS

Community Shield: Chelsea vs Manchester City player ratings

Cesar Azpilicueta - 6/10

Had a fairly good game considering the shaky defence next to him, and as has happened before he plugs away doing the dirty work and giving his all for his team.

AFP/Getty Images

Community Shield: Chelsea vs Manchester City player ratings

Antonio Rudiger - 5/10

Not at fault for Aguero’s goals, but the first goal went through his legs, and he combined less than convincingly with David Luiz.

AP

Community Shield: Chelsea vs Manchester City player ratings

David Luiz - 5/10

Despite getting to the business end of his career, the same old problems plague Luiz. He has all the skill and quality to make a very accomplished centre back but can’t quite get it all together.

Action Images via Reuters

Community Shield: Chelsea vs Manchester City player ratings

Marcos Alonso - 6/10

Had an average game in a defence that looked leaky at best. Will likely improve during the season and can nick a goal or two on his day.

Getty Images

Community Shield: Chelsea vs Manchester City player ratings

Cesc Fabregas - 6/10

Failed to thread many of his trademark balls forward and looked off the pace, but with a poor defence behind him, had little to feed off.

PA

Community Shield: Chelsea vs Manchester City player ratings

Jorginho - 6/10

Understandably his touch and some of his play was far from perfect as he adapts to the English game, but it’s clear to see Sarri sees him as a key figure for Chelsea to play through this season.

Getty

Community Shield: Chelsea vs Manchester City player ratings

Ross Barkley - 6/10

Showed some signs of his promise before his move to Chelsea, and will look to build on this going into the new season.

AP

Community Shield: Chelsea vs Manchester City player ratings

Pedro - 6/10

Another of the Chelsea players in attack to have very little to feed off, had a half chance in the second period but didn’t get much help from his teammates as he tried to create chances.

Getty Images

Community Shield: Chelsea vs Manchester City player ratings

Alvaro Morata - 5/10

Had little service, and looked short of confidence when he did get the ball. His big test will be the Premier League as he looks to find some form and more importantly get on the scoresheet.

REUTERS

Community Shield: Chelsea vs Manchester City player ratings

Callum Hudson-Odoi - 7/10

A bright spark for Chelsea, and will certainly give Sarri something to think about in the season ahead. Coped well against the talent and speed of Kyle Walker.

AFP/Getty Images

Community Shield: Chelsea vs Manchester City player ratings

Claudio Bravo - 7/10

A bizarre moment where the ball bounced over him aside, it was a good performance from Bravo with his usual accurate distribution.

Getty Images

Community Shield: Chelsea vs Manchester City player ratings

Kyle Walker - 7/10

Dealt well with Callum Hudson-Odoi who was one of the better players in a poor Chelsea side. One to return early from the World Cup, and looked almost back to his best.

Getty

Community Shield: Chelsea vs Manchester City player ratings

John Stones - 7/10

Another assured performance from a player building on a successful World Cup. Even found himself in defensive midfield as the game went on, and will hope to build on this into the season.

Action Images via Reuters

Community Shield: Chelsea vs Manchester City player ratings

Aymeric Laporte - 7/10

A new signing last season, Laporte was seen as one of the best defenders in the world and looked solid here despite never really being tested by a toothless Chelsea frontline.

AFP/Getty Images

Community Shield: Chelsea vs Manchester City player ratings

Phil Foden - 8/10

One of the few that will have seen the Community Shield as a huge game. He left the field to a standing ovation and was impressive throughout, picking up an assist for Aguero’s opener.

Action Images via Reuters

Community Shield: Chelsea vs Manchester City player ratings

Benjamin Mendy - 7/10

Almost a new signing for City after his long injury last season, and showed some glimpses of his form at Monaco as he raced up and down the left flank.

AFP/Getty Images

Community Shield: Chelsea vs Manchester City player ratings

Fernandinho - 7/10

The few times Chelsea managed to string passes together, Fernandinho was there to break up play. He will face much stiffer tests during the Premier League season.

REUTERS

Community Shield: Chelsea vs Manchester City player ratings

Bernardo Silva - 8/10

One of the best in an impressive City team, and filled in for David Silva seamlessly. His attacking runs easily carved through the Chelsea midfield and defence.

AFP/Getty Images

Community Shield: Chelsea vs Manchester City player ratings

Riyad Mahrez - 7/10

Guilty of sometimes taking too many touches, but as always a bright spark, and someone who will add to City’s squad this season.

Getty Images

Community Shield: Chelsea vs Manchester City player ratings

Sergio Aguero - 9/10

Got his 200th and 201st goals for City and was clinical as he has been so many times in a City shirt. Given far too much space though by a poor Chelsea defence.

REUTERS

Community Shield: Chelsea vs Manchester City player ratings

Leroy Sane - 7/10

A good performance, but plenty more left to give from Sane, who will likely be up against Mahrez for a place in the starting XI this season.

AFP/Getty Images

“I’ve always made it very clear that I’ve always been very happy playing for Chelsea. I never said that I want to leave the club,” Willian said.

The height of Willian’s problematic relationship with Conte was when he posted an image on Instagram with Conte’s face covered up. Now that Conte’s two year stay at Stamford Bridge is over, the Brazilian winger is determined to impress new manager Maurizio Sarri.

“This is a new era, with a new manager and I’ve had a good conversation with him. I hope we can enjoy a lot of victories.

(AFP/Getty Images (AFP/Getty Images)

“This is just the beginning,” the Brazilian added. “I’ve been only in three training sessions. We have a new season with a new philosophy, everything is new for everyone. But this team has everything to improve in all aspects.”

Sarri brought midfielder Jorginho with him from Napoli and is the only player Chelsea have spent money on this window, with veteran goalkeeper Robert Green joining as a free agent.

Chelsea still have Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois’s futures to sort out before Thursday’s English transfer deadline. Hazard returned to training on Monday and Chelsea have not been in talks with Real Madrid to sell the winger, however Sarri is less confident that Courtois will stay.

The Blues will be looking to improve on their fifth-placed finish last season, and begin their Premier League campaign at Huddersfield Town on Saturday.

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