Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has spoken of Willian's importance to the Blues amid suggestions that Manchester United are preparing to launch a £40m January move for the Brazil international.

It has been claimed that Man United boss Jose Mourinho wants to bring the 28-year-old to Old Trafford at the start of 2017 as he looks to add another player to his forward line.

Willian has not started a Premier League match since October 1 and was left out of the Blues squad for last weekend's 1-0 win over Middlesbrough, but Conte has suggested that the forward has been given time to grieve following the death of his mother.

"He's come back and now it's important to find good form because, in this period, he was unlucky. You know why [he was initially missing]. But it is important now to be focused on work and find continuity in training. Willy is an important player for us and I count upon him a lot," Conte told reporters.

Willian joined Chelsea from Russian outfit Anzhi Makhachkala in the summer of 2013 and has scored 21 times in 149 appearances for the London club.