After their title winning campaign last season, FC's Stewart Robson thinks Chelsea will struggle to perform this season.
Chelsea attacker Willian has told Goal that Jose Mourinho made an approach to bring him to Manchester United but stressed that he is "very happy" at Stamford Bridge.
In April, sources told ESPN FC that Mourinho was targeting Willian as part of his summer rebuilding plans.
Willian and Mourinho remain on good terms, greeting each other warmly before matches between Chelsea and United, and the 29-year-old said Mourinho asked about bringing him to United before any move was blocked.
"There were a few conversations with my agent. I worked with Mourinho and I became his friend as well," he said.
"He likes me a lot and I like him a lot as a coach and as a person. He has put his trust in me and in my work, and I was very grateful to him.
"Manchester came to me, they talked with my agent, but nothing happened because Chelsea would not negotiate me in any way, and I'm very happy at Chelsea."
Willian joined Chelsea from Anzhi Makhachkala in August 2013, being voted the club's player of the year for the 2015-16 campaign and scoring eight Premier League goals last season.
He has three years left to run on a contract extension signed in July 2016, but became frustrated at losing his place in the starting XI to Pedro after being granted compassionate leave following the death of his mother in October.
Current Chelsea coach Conte was publicly and privately supportive of him during that time, and Willian had positive words for the Italian's approach.
He said Conte and Mourinho "are very different," adding: "Everyone has their way of working. Mourinho is a coach who likes more the ball practice, works the ball possession and makes short games.
"Conte likes to work the tactical and the physical part. Every coach has his way of working. Mourinho is a fantastic coach and won everything wherever he went.
"Conte is a fantastic coach too, because he won everything at Juventus and has already won the Premier League in his first year with Chelsea. Each one has his merits."
Willian and Pedro are set to play key roles for Chelsea in the opening weeks of the new season, with Eden Hazard still recovering from a broken ankle that sidelined him for the whole of preseason.
Liam is ESPN FC's Chelsea correspondent. Follow him on Twitter: @Liam_Twomey.
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Source: espn.co.uk