Frank Lampard insists he will have no hard feelings if Willian leaves Chelsea.

Brazil forward Willian is understood to be closing in on a move to Arsenal, with his Stamford Bridge contract expiring after the Blues’ Champions League exploits.

Willian will miss Saturday’s last-16 second-leg tie at Bayern Munich with an ankle issue, and could have already played his last Chelsea game should he leave west London as anticipated.

“I think he leaves a hole as a player that’s been here for seven seasons, and performed as part of some very successful teams.

“When I came in for this year and we had a very young group and young talents coming back after loans, we had some transitional elements to the whole group. And Willian was one you looked at and relied upon in terms of experience and quality, and he’s shown me that all year.

“But he has his own decisions to make. And we as a club will always want to move forward, no matter what.

“Eden Hazard left last year, but the club continues. You try and work in a forward direction, which I think we have in many ways.

“And that remains the same whatever player will leave the club.”