Willian’s future at Chelsea is in doubt because he is unhappy with a contract offered by the club, according to reports in his native Brazil.
OUL have reported that Willian, who turns 31 later this year, wants a longer-term deal.
But Chelsea have a policy of only offering one-year contracts to players over the age of 30 and appear determined not to change it.
That policy recently led to the departure of Cesc Fabregas, who left for Monaco despite boss Maurizio Sarri calling for the Spaniard to be given the longer contract he wanted.
Now there is speculation that Willian could also be on his way out of Stamford Bridge.
Emery’s City admission
Arsenal boss Unai Emery has admitted that Manchester City’s superiority over his side was evident in their 3-1 defeat at the Etihad on Sunday.
The result left Arsenal sixth in the Premier League table, three points adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea and 11 of second-placed City.
Emery said: “They showed their superiority for 90 minutes but above all in the second half.
“I think the result is the difference between Manchester City and Arsenal.”
QPR duo set for loan moves
QPR youngsters Niko Hamalainen and Giles Phillips are set for loan moves to the MLS.
West London Sport reports that the defenders have been lined up for moves to their native USA in order to give them first-team experience and that there is interest from New England Revolution.
Los Angeles FC, part-owned by QPR co-owner Ruben Gnanalingam, could also be an option.
Redknapp unconvinced by Son but backs Sarri
Son Heung-min should not be among the contenders for Player of the Year despite his brilliant form for Chelsea, according to Jamie Redknapp.
The South Korean has been a key player for Spurs, scoring 10 Premier League goals and carrying the team in the absence of the injured Harry Kane.
But pundit Redknapp, writing in the Daily Mail, explained that Son would not be on his six-man shortlist for the this season’s honour.
Redknapp’s believes Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk is on course to win the award and that currently the other five player who would deserve to be on the shortlist are Kane, Eden Hazard and Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as well as Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Manchester City’s David Silva.
Former Tottenham and England midfielder Redknapp said: “While Son is making a convincing case, he doesn’t quite get into my six-man shortlist
“No one comes close to Virgil van Dijk. He has transformed Liverpool into a rock-solid team who are favourites to win their first league title for 29 years.”
On Chelsea star Hazard, Redknapp added: “Chelsea may have blown hot and cold, but you cannot discount Eden Hazard.
“He is our league’s most naturally talented player and is in double figures for goals and assists.”
Redknapp also believes the arrival of Gonzalo Higuain could enable Sarri to emulate the success of previous Chelsea managers.
Chelsea have lacked a physical presence up front since the departure of Diego Costa, who was instrumental in title triumphs under Sarri’s predecessors Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho.
Before that, Didier Drogba led from the front during a spell in which Chelsea became European as well as England champions.
“Chelsea’s five title-winning teams have one thing in common,” Redknapp said.
“Jose Mourinho brought Didier Drogba to the club in his first season and the striker was a key component in Chelsea’s triumphs in 2005 and 2006. He then struck 29 goals in 32 games to fire Carlo Ancelotti’s side to the Double in 2010.
“The arrival of Diego Costa inspired Chelsea to a third title under Mourinho in 2015 and another under Antonio Conte.
“Since Conte fell out with Costa, Chelsea have lacked a snarling, physical presence at the top of their team. Until now.
“Maurizio Sarri has not had an A-list centre-forward to work with. Gonzalo Higuain may be a quick fix but you cannot doubt his quality. He can be the missing piece in Sarri’s tactical plan.
“Let’s see how Chelsea fare with a proper focal point before jumping to conclusions about their manager.”