New Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri said he is “very confident” Willian will stay at the club but expressed doubt over the future of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois ahead of the Community Shield clash against Manchester City.
Chelsea are in Sunday’s season curtain-raiser against the Premier League champions after they won the FA Cup win in Antonio Conte’s final match at the helm in May.
Willian, 29, cut a forlorn figure at times under Conte and has been linked with Manchester United, Barcelona and Real Madrid.
He reported late for Chelsea duty after the World Cup in Russia, where Brazil reached the quarter-finals before being ousted 2-1 by Belgium.
Courtois’ future at Stamford Bridge remains uncertain, but Sarri hopes the Belgium goalkeeper will stay.
The giant ‘keeper is due to return to Chelsea training this weekend after helping Belgium finish third at the World Cup and being voted the best goalkeeper at the tournament.
The 26-year-old has a year to run on his current contract and has been heavily linked with a move prior to Thursday’s transfer window, with Real Madrid rumoured to be his most likely destination if he is sold