Chelsea: Willian told Lampard he’s not staying at club says pundit
Chelsea would be making the right decision allowing both Willian and Pedro leave at the end of the season, says European football expert Julien Laurens. Willian and Pedro see their contracts at Chelsea expire this summer. In an interview at the weekend, Willian admitted it was unlikely he would put pen to paper on a new deal.
Chelsea news: Frank Lampard has been backed to let Willian and Pedro leave (Image: GETTY/ESPN)
"You might disagree with me but I think it's the right move to just let him go, let Pedro go as well," Laurens said on the Gab and Juls podcast.
"I know these guys have experience, they've been great servants to the club, to Chelsea, and they probably can still bring something to the club.
"We saw [Willian's] two goals against Spurs for example in what was a very important game at the time in the Premier League between Chelsea and Tottenham.
"But I think he's been a long time at the club, I think it is the right time to move on for everyone, for him, for Pedro as well, for Chelsea.
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"They've got very young, promising wingers in [Callum] Hudson-Odoi and [Christian] Pulisic for example, even Mason Mount can play wide and Hakim Ziyech is coming as well.
"So for me it is the right decision for Chelsea not to offer Willian or Pedro a new deal and build on what they have now, which as we said is very young, promising youngsters."
Speaking to Fox Sports show Expediente Futebol at the weekend, Willian confirmed why he is unlikely to extend his stay at Chelsea
Willian said: "I've built something fantastic at Chelsea.
Chelsea news: Chelsea's last silverware came in 2019 with the Europa League (Image: EXPRESS)
"I'm especially fond of the fans and the people that work there, and I've felt very settled.
"Everyone knows my contract is up in a few months and it looks like it'll be difficult to secure an extension.
"I think it's unlikely that I'll renew because Chelsea offered me a two-year deal, I asked for three and it ended there.
"There were no more talks or negotiations. Chelsea said that three years would be impossible, so at the moment it seems unlikely that I'll extend, but nothing is impossible.
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"We don't know what might happen.
"We might suddenly reach an agreement, but what I can say today is that my contract is up and I'll be free to negotiate with any club."