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Willian blames passport issues for missing Chelsea training amid Real Madrid talk

Matt Storey - do not use
Willian is yet to report back to pre-season training, despite being due in London last Friday
Willian is yet to report back to pre-season training, despite being due in London last Friday

Wanted Chelsea star Willian has failed to report to pre-season training, citing an issue with his passport as the reason.

But the Brazilian has failed to convince everyone at Stamford Bridge that his excuse is legitimate, with some fearing they may have another Diego Costa situation on their hands.

The Times report that Willian was due back at Cobham last Friday, after enjoying three weeks off at the end of Brazil’s World Cup campaign.

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However, the 29-year-old informed the club that he was unable to travel due to documentation issues and is still not back in west London.

This comes after Chelsea received a £65m bid for Willian from Real Madrid and despite a source close to the winger telling The Times that he would report back later this week, there are similarities between this and Costa’s absence last summer.

Willian (left) and Diego Costa (right) are close friends and represented by the same agency
Willian (left) and Diego Costa (right) are close friends and represented by the same agency

Chelsea eventually sold Costa to Atletico Madrid, after he refused to report back to Chelsea on the back of a text sent by Antonio Conte, which informed him he was no longer wanted at Stamford Bridge.

Willian and Costa share the same agency and are close friends, but Willian’s entry difficulties may be a legitimate excuse.

Willian impressed for Brazil at the World Cup
Willian impressed for Brazil at the World Cup

Either way, it creates problems for new boss Maurizio Sarri. Eden Hazard is due to miss the start of the season, meaning Willian’s return was crucial for the season’s opening league game with Huddersfield, but he will not feature in the International Champions Cup game with Arsenal in Dublin tomorrow, and must be a doubt for the Charity Shield on Sunday too, given his lack of pre-season.

Despite interest from Manchester United, Barcelona and Madrid, Willian told Brazilian reporters that he is ‘happy’ in London last week, however there is likely to be plenty of speculation regarding his future between now and the deadline next week.