Willian reveals talks with Man Utd as he explains difference between Conte and Mourinho

WILLIAN has confirmed he did hold talks with Manchester United over a potential reunion with Jose Mourinho.

Chelsea star Willian and Pedro show off their striking skills

The Portuguese boss was keen to bring the winger to Old Trafford last summer but Chelsea were reluctant to sell.

The 29-year-old played an important part in Chelsea's Premier League winning campaign last season, netting eight times, although he struggled to hold down a regular starting spot.

However, he insists he is happy with life at Stamford Bridge amid links with a move away.

"There were a few conversations with my agent. I worked with Mourinho and I became his friend as well," he told Goal. 

"He likes me a lot and I like him a lot as a coach and as a person. He has put his trust in me and in my work, and I was very grateful to him.

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WillianGETTY

Willian says he held talks with Manchester United but is happy at Chelsea

Manchester came to me, they talked with my agent, but nothing happened, because Chelsea would not negotiate me in any way and I'm very happy at Chelsea.

Willian

"Manchester came to me, they talked with my agent, but nothing happened, because Chelsea would not negotiate me in any way and I'm very happy at Chelsea."

Willian has been fortunate enough to work under Mourinho and Conte during his time in England with the former having signed him from Anzhi Makhachkala back in 2013.

And having won Premier League titles under both managers with the Blues, Willian finds it hard to separate the two when drawing comparisons.

"They are very different. Everyone has their way of working. Mourinho is a coach who likes more the ball practice, works the ball possession and makes short games," he added.

Jose MourinhoGETTY

Willian is a big fan of former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho

"Conte likes to work the tactical and the physical part. Every coach has his way of working. Mourinho is a fantastic coach and won everything wherever he went.

"Conte is a fantastic coach too, because he won everything at Juventus and has already won the Premier League in his first year with Chelsea. Each one has his merits.

"[Conte] is a coach who works hard every day, works a lot of tactics and the physical part. In the last season, he transformed our team when he changed the formation to 3-4-3. 

"We managed to assimilate very well what he asked us in the training sessions and things worked out."

Willian will be hoping to start Chelsea's opener on Saturday when they host Burnley (3pm).

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