Willian: I wanted to join Chelsea

Shakhtar Donetsk forward Willian has reiterated his desire to play in the Premier League and expressed regret that he did not manage to complete a move to Chelsea during the summer.

Scott Heavey/Getty ImagesWillian scored twice against Chelsea in this season's Champions League

Willian, 24, was courted by the Blues and Tottenham Hotspur before the last transfer window closed, and both clubs have been tipped to renew their interest in January, along with reigning Serie A champions Juventus.
He revealed in October that he still keeps in contact with Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas but it appears the Brazilian, who scored twice against Chelsea in the Champions League this season, appears to favour a switch to Stamford Bridge - having already come close to sealing a transfer.
He told ESPN Brazil: "My goal is to play for a bigger club in a high level league... If I tell you that I was happy [the Chelsea move fell through], I would be lying. My desire was there, with a €25million (£20.3 million) offer from a big club like Chelsea.
"I wanted to pack my things and go, but I can't do that as I am under contract. It shows how much Shakhtar like me and shows that I am doing a good job, which is why they wanted me to stay.
"I have tried to convince them many times to let me go. I know that Juventus and Chelsea have made offers to buy me and that motivates me a lot.
"The club know that I want to leave, everyone knows that. The president has told me that he'll let me go for €30million (£24.4 million) and my intention is to sign for a big club."
Willian's goals helped Shakhtar qualify for the Champions League last-16 at Chelsea's expense, with the Blues becoming the first Champions League holders to fail to progress from the group stage.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LAST 16 DRAW

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LAST 16 DRAW

	GALATASARAY	VS	SCHALKE
	CELTIC	VS	JUVENTUS
	REAL MADRID	VS	MANCHESTER UNITED
	AC MILAN	VS	BARCELONA
	PORTO	VS	MALAGA
	VALENCIA	VS	PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN
	SHAKHTAR DONETSK	VS	BORUSSIA DORTMUND
	ARSENAL	VS	BAYERN MUNICH

Real Madrid to face Man United, Barcelona to take on AC Milan in Champions League knockout stage draw

The draw for the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League took place in Nyon, Switzerland, on Thursday, and some enticing ties await in the first knockout stage.

Spanish Primera Division champion Real Madrid has been paired with Manchester United as Cristiano Ronaldo is slated for a return to Old Trafford.Spain's current leader, 2011 winner Barcelona, will have to deal with Italian giants AC Milan in what promises to be yet another mouthwatering tie.

Last season's finalist Bayern Munich take on Arsene Wenger's Arsenal, aiming to make it to a third final in four years.

Ligue 1 side Paris Saint-Germain has been pitted against Valencia, whereas 2004 winner Porto locks horns with Oguchi Onyewu's Malaga.

Serie A powerhouse Juventus will have to deal with Celtic in the first knockout round, while Jermaine Jones' Schalke meets Turkish giant Galatasaray.

Finally, German champion Borussia Dortmund takes on Ukrainian titan Shakhtar Donetsk.

Group winners will be away in the first legs on February 12-13 and 19-20 and at home in the return matches on March 5-6 and 12-13.

The draw for the quarterfinals will be held on March 15, and the tournament concludes at Wembley Stadium on May 25.