Willian has no desire to leave Chelsea during the January transfer window and insists his team-mates must fight to the end in the face of fading title hopes.
The Brazil international celebrated his return to Antonio Conte’s starting line-up with a goal in last Tuesday’s stylish 3-1 beating of Huddersfield Town – a return to winning ways for Chelsea after going down to a surprise 1-0 London derby loss against West Ham.
Alvaro Morata’s absence at the John Smith’s Stadium due to a back injury cleared the way for Willian to take a place in the first XI as Conte selected a free-flowing side without a recognised striker.
The 29-year-old has not been an automatic starter since the Italian switched to a 3-4-3 system in October last season, launching Chelsea’s title charge, but he is not looking for a way out.
“I am always happy here at Chelsea, I really like this club a lot with my heart so I am very happy here,” Willian told reporters.
“I hope not to leave in January. I am happy here and the fans can be calm, I am a Chelsea player.”
Conte declared Chelsea’s title hopes were over after the West Ham loss and colourfully described any suggestions of catching runaway leaders Manchester City as “bull****” at Huddersfield.
But Willian maintains the players cannot view the advantage Pep Guardiola’s side enjoy as insurmountable.
Willian added: “There’s a lot of games and, in football, everything can happen. We have to fight. We never give up, we have to continue always.”
