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Chelsea's Willian: We are back but we have to beat Southampton on Saturday


Willian feels the Blues are back and the defeat to West Ham on Saturday, consigned to the past but he knows that on Saturday, against Southampton, the Blues must win.

The Brazilian speed merchant was outstanding in last night 3-1 win over Huddersfield Town. He scored and was involved in the other two goals for Tiemoure Bakayoko and Pedro.

He's feeling a lot happier now,

"Yes. On Saturday, we had a bad game and lost against West Ham. But against Huddersfield, we turned the situation around and played very well.

"I think we have to stay and play the same way at all times, to try to win the games. We know the gap to Manchester City is 11 points, they play tonight, but we have to fight until the end."

So is that the high standard the team has to produce every game from now on?

"Yes," he confirmed. " It has to be there to stay at the top of the table. We have to always do our job. We have to keep playing the same way that we did last night. We played very well, we had a lot of possession and created chances. The team was compact, very solid and we have to carry on."

Early defeats to Burnley added to the West Ham debacle and a loss at Crystal Place has cost the champions dear.

"I feel sad because we lost these games. The team that wants to be champions can't lose these kind of games. We know that we didn't play like we usually do, we didn't play these games very well because we made mistakes and the opposition scored goals. For example, against West Ham we conceded inside 10 minutes and then for us to score afterwards it was difficult because they stayed with a lot of players behind the ball.

"We tried and tried but didn't (get a goal). We have to try to have a plan against Southampton for example. We are playing at Stamford Bridge and have to win. No doubts, we have to win.

"I think we have to think about ourselves, think about our performance. We have to forget about the others. We are Chelsea, we are a big club and we always want to win.

Unlike head coach Antonio Conte, who conceded the title already, Willian is not giving up on retaining their title.

"We have to fight until the end," he said.

"We know it is a big gap, but we have to fight until the end. There are a lot of games to play and in football, anything can happen. We have to fight. We will never, never give up. We have to always continue."

When Willian is on the pitch, the Blues seem to play better and he is happy with his form.

"Of course I am very happy," he said.

"When I play I always try to do my best, I try to help the team to play well, to score goals and make assists. Against Huddersfield I did that with my team-mates. I am very happy."

he even scored with his head.

"Maybe it was my hair!" he joked.

"It's difficult to score with my head, I'm not tall, not big. I am like Eden and Pedro, but we have to be there inside the box. I was there last night and scored a goal."

It was an example of what other players have to do - things they wouldn't normally do?

"Yes of course. We all have to try to do other things, different things like we did at Huddersfield."

Willian is contracted to SW6 until 2020 but talk is rife of a January move away from Stamford Bridge.

Willian seems bemused by the prospect.

"I am always happy at Chelsea. I really like this club a lot with my heart.

"The fans can be calm. I am a Chelsea player."

And what about new signings in January? Willian batted it away for six like an Australian Ashes opener.

"We have other people to think about this. As players we have to do our job on the pitch and leave these things for other people."

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