Willian says he & family don't want to leave London despite expiring contract

It proved third time lucky for Willian as he passed the British citizenship test - and the Chelsea winger has said that he and his family have no plans to leave London.

Willian's future at Stamford Bridge is under threat with just six months remaining on his current deal in west London.

But in conversation with The Players' Tribune, Willian reiterated his commitment to the UK, his 'second home', and insisted that the wish of his family is to remain in the English capital beyond the end of the season.

'If you ask my wife if she wants to leave London, she'll say no,' he said. 'My daughters feel the same way. Of course, Brazil is Brazil, right? It's our home, our culture. We always feel good when we go there on holiday and see family and friends. But London is my second home.'

Willian has lived in London since joining Chelsea from Anzhi Makhachkala in August 2013.

He settled quickly, becoming a focal point in Chelsea's attack and he has gone on to lift two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and a Europa League during his six seasons at the club.

But while he had the beating of those on the pitch, it was an off-field assignment that he was desperate to overcome most.

'I recently passed a British citizenship test. Man, it was hard. It's British history in a nutshell: the 1500s, the 1600s, wars, battles, great leaders, stuff like that.

'Some questions are so difficult that not even some of my British friends knew the answers! I bought this handbook called Life in the UK Test, which covers everything in the exam. I don't know how many hours I spent reading it. I also downloaded a phone app with mock tests.

'As it turned out, I failed on my first two attempts, but got it on the third. I am now a British citizen! So London is where I want to stay. This is where I have my family, my church. I want my daughters to grow up here. Whenever I get back to the dressing room, I want to keep seeing their messages. I want to keep hearing their love and encouragement.'

Willian's interview is a signal that he is settled in London and is not pushing to leave the club, even with his contract winding down.