Conte shrugs off reports linking United with Willian

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has brushed off suggestions Willian may want to leave the club.

The winger was quoted on Brazilian TV programme Globo Esporte as saying Manchester United were interested in signing him in the summer, after former Blues boss Jose Mourinho took charge at Old Trafford.

He is said to have added: “I’m glad to hear that there are clubs that admire my work.”

Willian started 32 of Chelsea’s 38 games last season, under Mourinho and Guus Hiddink, but has only been in the starting line-up for 12 of their 24 matches this term.

However, Conte said he was unaware of any interest from United and insisted he was relaxed about the amount of gametime he was giving the 28-year-old.

“I don’t know about this news,” he said. “For me it’s not important.”

“The most important thing is the present, to be focused and to take the best choice for the team to try to win.”