EPL

Stop! Don't ask about Willian's contract – Sarri

When a reporter mentioned the possibility of Chelsea winger Willian only receiving a one-year deal, Maurizio Sarri cut him short.

Sacha Pisani
13 January, 2019 13:31 IST

Chelsea winger Willian   -  Getty Images

Sacha Pisani
13 January, 2019 13:31 IST

Chelsea head coach Maurizio Sarri was in no mood to discuss Willian's contract amid links with LaLiga champion Barcelona.

Willian was reportedly targeted by Barca in pre-season and the Brazil international has caught the attention of the Spanish club again, according to speculation.

The 30-year-old's future was discussed following Chelsea's 2-1 Premier League victory over Newcastle United on Saturday, in which he scored.

When a reporter began to mention the possibility of Willian – whose contract expires in 2020 – only receiving a one-year deal, Sarri cut him short.

"Stop, stop, stop. I don't know anything about the Willian contract, but I don't know what to answer," Sarri said during his post-game news conference.

"Maybe he has 12 years of contract I don't know. I don't know the detail.  You are trying to let me speak about something I don't know."

Sarri added: "You know very well that Willian is a very important player for us, as I said yesterday in the news conference.

"In my opinion Willian has to stay with us. A very important player, like Pedro. [Callum] Hudson-Odoi is becoming for us a really important player.

"With Eden [Hazard] as a striker, we need wingers. So we need Pedro. We need Hudson-Odoi. We need Willian of course. For us he's fundamental."

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