Willian has revealed he wanted to take the penalty that team-mate Ross Barkley missed as Chelsea’s Champions League campaign got off to a rocky start with a 1-0 home defeat by Valencia.
But the Brazilian came out in support of the England midfielder.
Defeat came courtesy of a volley from Rodrigo in the 74th minute. Barkley missed a chance to equalise when he fired a penalty against the crossbar in the 88th minute. Barkley, on as a substitute, was seen remonstrating with Willian and Jorginho, who both seemed keen to take the spot kick, with manager Frank Lampard later revealing Barkley is the Blues’ designated penalty taker.
“I wanted to take (the penalty) but he (Barkley) was confident to take it and this is football,” said the attacker.
“He missed the penalty but it could have me who missed the penalty or Jorginho, or whoever. Football it is like this, but when you win, you win together and when you lose you lose together, so now we have to push hard and try to win those other games at home.”
Making things worse for Chelsea, midfielder Mason Mount went off with an ankle injury after a sliding tackle from Valencia’s Francis Coquelin.
