When José Mourinho took charge of Manchester United last year, Chelsea winger Willian was linked a lot with the club.
Reports said the Portuguese manager would like to work with the player again, but as nothing happened during that transfer window, the rumours ended up disappearing.
But there was something going on. The player himself has revealed it in an interview with Goal Brasil this Wednesday, saying it’s true that Manchester United went after him.
Asked about Mourinho’s interest in having him in his squad once again, Willian said: “There were a few conversations with my agent, I worked with Mourinho and I became his friend as well. He likes me very much and I like him very much as a manager and as a person, he has put all my trust in me and my work, and I am I was very grateful to him.
“Manchester came to me, they talked to my agent, but nothing happened, because Chelsea would not release me in any way, but I’m very happy when the interest comes because it shows that our work is being seen”.
Regardless of the club, something the reporter makes pretty clear, the player was asked if he’d like to work under the Portuguese manager again: “Being honest, no doubts about it. I identified myself with him a lot. If I have a new opportunity to work with him, it will be my pleasure. I want to make it clear that I am very happy with Chelsea, but we do not know about the future”.
Premier League winner with both Mourinho and Antonio Conte, Willian also had to explain the differences between the managers: “They are very different. Each one has his way of working. Mourinho is a manager who likes more ball practice, playing ball possession and playing short games. Conte works a lot of tactics and the physical part.
“Each manager has his way of working, but I think Mourinho is a good manager and there is no doubt about it, because he has won everything. And Conte, too, because he won everything at Juventus and already won the Premier League in his first year with Chelsea. Each one has his merits”.
Despite losing his starting spot, Willian is still used a lot by manager Antonio Conte. He made 41 appearances last season, having scored 12 goals.
