As reported by The Daily Mirror, Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has played down speculation linking Willian to Manchester United.

What's the story?

As we discussed earlier this week, Chelsea's Brazilian star recently admitted that Manchester United had tried to sign him in last summer's transfer window.

That provoked a rush of speculation about his future at Stamford Bridge, with United rapidly becoming the bookies favourite to sign him in the summer.

However, Antonio Conte is not interested in such talk and is totally focused on the hear and now. When asked about the subject he was quick to dismiss it.

As quoted by The Mirror, he said:

I don’t know about this. It is not important. Now is about the present to take the best choice for the team. Then we can talk about the future. But be focused on the present.

Conte will be hoping that focus, both Willian's and the team, secure them another three points when they play Burnley on Sunday.

Important to Chelsea?

Willian isn't having the kind of season that could rival Eden Hazard or Diego Costa but he's still proving to be an important part of Chelsea's success so far this season, particularly over the last two months.

The Brazilian international has scored four goals in his last eight games for the Blues, part of a seven goal haul so far this term.

He's taken to Antonio Conte's system perfectly, often found on the right hand side of a front three that has been deadly in the final third this season. We reckon he has a big future left at Stamford Bridge.

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