Premier League clubs approve changes to associated party transaction rules
The proposed changes came into play after an independent tribunal found some aspects of the APT rules to be unlawful following Manchester City’s lawsuit.
Chelsea fans can breath a sigh of relief after Maurizio Sarri on Friday confirmed that Brazilian winger Willian will be staying at the club.
Speculation over the South American’s future has been rife ever since Barcelona and Manchester United showed interest in signing him and the fact that he had a delayed arrival post his summer vacation had sent the rumour mills into overdrive.
Reportedly due to a passport issue, the 29-year-old couldn’t enter the country and earlier in the week, Sarri had stated that he wasn’t impressed with his player’s tardiness.
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“I spoke yesterday with him about his lateness. It was a very positive conversation so I’m very happy about it. There is no Willian problem,” Sarri stated at his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s Community Shield clash with Manchester City.
Despite the fact that Barcelona signed Willian’s compatriot Malcom from Bordeaux, reports linking the Blues forward with a move away from Stamford Bridge continued to circle.
And to really kill the rumours linking the wantaway winger to United and Barcelona, Sarri had an assured response when asked if he was confident that the right winger would stay at the club.
“Yes I do. I’m very confident.”
With a belated arrival in West London, Willian is unlikely to start Sunday’s clash at Wembley Stadium. He is, however, expected to be fit by the time the Blues’ 2018/19 Premier League season opener comes around.
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Sarri’s men travel to Huddersfield Town for their first league game of the campaign on August 11.
And while Willian’s future is seemingly secure, whether or not Thibaut Courtois and Eden Hazard remain Chelsea players this season is a different matter altogether.
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The Belgian duo is expected to land in the English capital on Sunday and Sarri has confirmed he will have a sit down with them on Monday and convince them to stay.
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