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Willian optimistic about Chelsea future after shunning Man United talk

Willian has said he rejected the possibility of a move to Manchester United because he identifies so strongly with Chelsea.

Midfielder Willian was one of the few bright spots in Chelsea's disastrous title defence last season, winning their Player of the Year accolade.

Their struggles saw Jose Mourinho leave as manager -- and when he was appointed at Old Trafford, Willian was immediately mooted as a target.

However, the 27-year-old opted to end speculation about his future by putting pen to paper on a new four-year contract at Stamford Bridge and the Daily Mirror quoted him as saying: "I have a great relationship with Jose, but I am Chelsea.

"Of course, when someone like him is interested in you then you are happy, but I signed the contract because I like being a Chelsea player and I see good things here.

"I signed a new contract and that shows how much I want to stay here. But the simple thing is that I want to win titles."

He said he believed he could do that under new manager Antonio Conte, adding: "To win titles you have to improve and if we can do that then we have a great chance to win titles this season.

"We have the players to do this, and we have the manager."