Chelsea´s Willian swoop revealed

Shakhtar Donetsk coach Mircea Lucescu has confirmed that Chelsea were knocked back in attempts to sign Brazilian ace Willian.

Despite Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo having completed moves for the likes of Edin Hazard, Oscar and Marko Marin before the transfer window closed, Lucescu revealed that the Champions League winners also tried to sign Shakhtar’s gifted playmaker.

The Ukrainian side’s manager insists that Chelsea’s offer was too low and, ahead of the crucial Champions League Group E clash at the Donbass Arena between the sides on Tuesday, Lucescu has called on Willian to show Di Matteo he made a ‘big mistake’ in not completing a deal for the 24-year-old.

“Willian was far away from Chelsea,” Lucescu told reporters.

“They didn’t even get anywhere near to our requirements, having done nothing to make my promises to Willian come true.

“Speaking specifically about the amounts, they officially offered the sum for which we had bought him young.

“I would really like them to highly appreciate his true value tomorrow and realise that they made a big mistake.”

Di Matteo insisted he had no role in negotiations to sign Willian, but labelled the former Corinthians man as a ‘fantastic player’.

“As an assistant (at the time) I wasn’t involved in those conversations but Willian is a fantastic player with good qualities,” the Italian said in his pre-match press conference.

“We have a good squad with good players and I don’t know where his future is, but the way he is playing here he looks quite happy.”

Lucescu also noted that Chelsea showed an interest in defender Darijo Srna during Carlo Ancelotti’s reign at Stamford Bridge.

“Several years ago, I had a conversation with Ancelotti, and he was interested in Srna,” he said.

“My wish is that, after tomorrow’s match, Chelsea get interested in all of our players.”