Maurizio Sarri says Willian will not be allowed to leave Chelsea this month but he wants the Brazil winger to improve.
Chelsea are believed to have a rejected a player-plus-cash offer of £50million and Malcom from Barcelona, who have reignited their interest in the Brazilian winger.
The Camp Nou club tried to sign him last summer, but their three bids, including one of £55m, were turned down in July.
Willian has struggled to discover his best form this season and has contributed just four goals in 31 appearances, leaving many Chelsea fans frustrated with his performances and believing now would be the best time to cash in on the 30-year-old who joined the Blues in August 2013.
However, Sarri has urged the club to keep hold of the player, but the Italian wants Willian to find net more consistently and work on his movement off the ball.
“I didn’t receive anything yesterday,” Sarri said at his press conference. “You have to ask the club! I have no idea.
“Of course I don’t want to lose him. Willian is very important for us so I think it’s impossible to lose him in January.
“He can do better because the potential is high. Usually he wants the ball to his feet.
“He can improve on his movements without the ball, and he has the potential to score more.”
The Chelsea boss also discussed the possible signing of Gonzalo Higuain from Milan, and the problems his team have been having in front of goal in recent months.
“As you know very well I am not in control of the transfer market,” Sarri added. “In my opinion we need two players, but then it is up to the club.
“We need to score, of course. We need to solve this problem. In the last match we played very well, with continuity.
“With a great performance from the physical point of view, but we didn’t score.
“Now we have this problem. We need to solve this problem.”
