Willian insists he is ready to play for Chelsea after his contract has EXPIRED.

Willian has suggested that he is ready to play for Chelsea even after his contract has expired, should the Premier League season need to be completed in the summer due to the coronavirus crisis.

The Brazil forward, 31, is one of a number of high-profile players, including his Blues team-mates Olivier Giroud and Pedro, whose deals are set to run out on June 30 and would then be eligible for a free transfer on July 1.

But Willian insisted that he is ready to ignore his contract situation and stay 'loyal to the club' in order to help Chelsea complete their season, as they chase a Champions League spot. Frank Lampard's team sat fourth in the table, three points clear of Manchester United, when the season was suspended.

'My contract really ends I think in July,' he told Brazilian TV channel Esporte Interativo on a live Facebook chat.

'And if I had to play on those dates, in these months, I think it would be no problem for me to end the league in a way which would be loyal to the club, as they always were with me. Regardless of a signed paper.

'But it's clear that this is not a certainty, we don't know what can happen.

'But without a doubt, as always, I will always be ready to give the best to my club regardless of my contract situation.'

Willian and Chelsea had failed to agree terms on a new deal, with the player reportedly wanting to sign for more than the one year offered by the club, as per their policy for players over the age of 30.

Arsenal and Tottenham are leading the chase for his signature, while Barcelona are long-term admirers.

Willian has been at Chelsea since 2013, when he snubbed Spurs at the last minute to join. He has won the Premier League twice, the FA Cup, the League Cup and the Europa League at Stamford Bridge.