Advertisement
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho with a pat on the back for Juan Mata after he is substituted. Tony Marshall/PA Archive/Press Association Images
Staying Put

'The sales finished in London yesterday' says Mourinho on Mata's Chelsea future

The Chelsea boss wants the Spanish international to stay put at Stamford Bridge.

JOSE MOURINHO INSISTS he does not want Juan Mata to leave Chelsea and expects the Spain international to remain at Stamford Bridge this month.

Chelsea boss Mourinho appeared to pave the way for Mata’s departure after the player’s frustrated reaction to being substituted during the New Year’s Day win at Southampton.

Mata, the club’s player of the year for the last two seasons, has struggled to establish himself as a first-choice selection since the Portuguese manager returned to the club and has been linked with a move to Manchester United.

And the manager’s claim that the club’s “door was open” if the player wanted to discuss a move away was taken as an indication that Mata’s days at the club are numbered.

But Mourinho declared himself happy with the way Mata has reacted to the latest disappointment.

“He’s not been in to see us and today he trained in a fantastic way. He focused more on what I said after the game, when I said ‘I don’t want him to leave’. He focused on that rather than ‘the door is always open’.

“When he focuses on me not wanting him to leave, he moves on, he was happy with the victory and trained fantastically, no problems.”

Mourinho refuted suggestions there had been interest in the Spaniard from United, saying: “There has been no interest from other clubs.

“I keep saying I want him to stay. There is no other offer, no offer.”

Transfer

Mourinho also denied negotiations are underway that will see Belgian international Kevin De Bruyne leave Chelsea to join Bundesliga club Wolfsburg.

But he admitted the player has struggled to adapt to life at Stamford Bridge while insisting he would not be allowed to leave on the cheap.

“We know that Kevin didn’t adapt very well to the difficult life a Chelsea player has,” he said.

“People like Oscar, Mata, Willian, (Eden) Hazard have a beautiful, difficult life. To play they have to pay a big price, work a lot, give a lot, accept this difference.

“Kevin has a different personality. He was a very important player for Genk, (Werder) Bremen.

“This is the first time he has come to a big club with big competition. He’s a fantastic player with potential but it is difficult to adapt to this situation.

“We know he fancies a move but he’s a fantastic player, so is very expensive. When you buy fantastic players you have to pay a lot for them. If people think they can get good players on sale, the sales finished in London yesterday!

“I don’t want him to leave. But we have a couple of contacts, not made by us but other clubs. I don’t know if he’ll go. We don’t want to sell.”

- © AFP, 2014

Saints angered after Clattenburg cleared of ‘abusing and insulting’ Adam Lallana

Departures Lounge: Spurs and Newcastle eye up Lescott on loan

Your Voice
Readers Comments
13
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.