Chelsea winger Willian has revealed his relief at working under Maurizio Sarri this season after the rather defensive style under Antonio Conte in the last campaign.
The Brazil star endured a torrid relationship with his former boss at the club and was evidently not ready to continue working with the manager, although he revealed a few days ago that he has always dreamed of playing for the Blues into his 30s, via Goal.
Willian has not started every game thus far in the Premier League but seems content with his bit-part role despite similar concerns under Conte. So what has changed?
The brand of football Sarri has introduced at the club this season does not just endear fans to himself, even the players are in love with the system they play in now, whether they come off the bench or make the starting line-up.
Willian is adamant the Italian coach has brought something new and refreshing to the club this season and is asking his players to play with fun.
“He wants us to play. You can see in the games the difference from last season. We play more, we have more possession, we enjoy, we have fun with responsibility. We win five games in a row, so we have to continue the same way.
I’m happy with the new manager, with the new profile of football. We have a great team atmosphere. We have great players. We can do everything this season to win titles. I‘m very proud to stay and to be a Chelsea player. It’s an honour to play for this club. I’m very happy at Chelsea.
Everyone knows what happened in the last transfer window, but my mind was always at Chelsea. It was always to play for Chelsea. Now with Sarri we have a different way to play football so we just want to enjoy and continue to play for this club.”
Willian, Evening Standard
