Metro Sport
Willian insists he has unfinished business in Europe but plans to play in the MLS before the end of his career as speculation over his future intensifies.
The Chelsea stalwart is destined to become a free agent at the end of the season and appears likely to leave Stamford Bridge despite enjoying a renaissance under the management of his former team-mate Frank Lampard.
Willian signed a short-term contract that will take him up to the end of the current campaign, but is likely to seek a fresh challenge thereafter, unless Chelsea change their stance and offer him the three-year deal he is seeking.
The likes of Arsenal and Tottenham have been linked with a move for the experienced winger and Willian is confident he still has plenty to offer at the top level.
‘I have plans to stay in Europe and try to play here maybe for three or four more seasons,” Willian told ESPN Brasil’s Futebol no Mundo. ‘I believe I can still perform on a high level. After that, when I will be 35, 36 years old, I intend to go to the United States and play there. It is a goal that I have.
‘I don’t rule out returning to Brazil, it is my country and my culture. But returning to Brazil would not be my first choice if I leave Europe. I have the wish to play in the United States also because of my family, being able to live in the United States would be good.
‘My family would feel great and so would I. For now, Brazil is not crossing my mind. Of course, that could change and I can realize one day that I want to go back to Brazil. Maybe go back to Corinthians and retire with the club. But my goal right now is to stay in Europe, play for maybe three or four more seasons and then go to the United States and we will go from there.’
According to Goal, meanwhile, Chelsea will have one last crack at persuading Willian to commit his future to the club, but are unlikely to offer a player who turns 32 in August anything more than a two-year deal.
Chelsea have already added Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech to their already exciting attacking options. Kai Havertz could yet arrive from Bayer Leverkusen as well to further bolster Lampard’s creative arsenal, but he remains keen for Willian to remain.
He said: ‘I haven’t given up hope on it,’ Lampard said. ‘The club are still in discussions with him. We want him to stay at the club, but I also appreciate this contract for him is a big deal because of his age and where he’s at.
‘I’ve been there before myself, and I respect that. The way he’s playing at the minute, he’s shown his worth to the squad.
‘It’s something I hope we can get to, whatever way with Willian, he’s been a great servant to the club, if we can get it I’ll be happy, but if not I’ll certainly wish him well because I’ve got a lot of time for him. It’s ongoing, in short.’
