Mourinho Rules Out Mata Move And Explains Attackers Lack Of Playing Time

As we enter the final stages of the summer transfer window, there is plenty of gossip doing the rounds in the newspapers so we’ll keep you up-to-date with the latest transfer rumours. Today, Jose Mourinho rules out selling Juan Mata.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho insists that Arsenal and Manchester United target Juan Mata will not be sold and explained the attackers lack of playing time so far this season.

Mata’s future has surprisingly been under scrutiny this summer following the arrival of Mourinho as manager with some reports suggesting the Portuguese coach only saw the 25-year-old as a bit-part player this season.

The playmaker was hauled off after just 60 minutes against Aston Villa last Wednesday and was subsequently left on the bench as an unused substitute during Monday’s 0-0 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford, and speculation over his future intensified when the Blues signed Brazilian attacker Willian – who plays in the same position as Mata.

News today that Chelsea are also on the verge of signing Porto winger Christian Atsu has done nothing to dampen suggestions that the former Valencia man could be on his way out of Stamford Bridge and reports have linked both Arsenal and Manchester United with a move.

Mata’s father and agent, Juan Senior, was in the directors box at the Emirates on Tuesday night and Arsene Wenger confirmed he had heard that the player could be available and that he was a fan, but doubted whether Chelsea would sell to a rival. Wenger said:

“Well, yes. I like him [Mata].

“I have heard like you, because I watched the game last night, that Juan Mata could be on the market. I don’t know… there is anyway a reluctance in England to sell to each other.”

[source: the Mirror]

The arrival of both Willian and Atsu would leave Chelsea overly stocked in attacking midfielders and Mata has been touted as a possible departure. However, Mourinho has now reiterated his desire to keep hold of the Spanish international and claims his lack of playing time so far this season is down to a disrupted pre-season.

“There is no chance Juan goes.

“He had a very small pre-season after the Confederations Cup. And during that pre-season he was injured.

“He started training two days before we played the first league match.

“He played against Aston Villa and I decided to put him on the bench against United.” Mourinho is quoted as saying by Sky Sports News.

So it seems Mata will be staying at Chelsea and Arsene Wenger and David Moyes will have to look elsewhere is they want to sign a marquee name before the window shuts.

Of course Mourinho could be telling fibs and this could be all part of the transfer ‘game’. But even so, it’s highly doubtful he’d be prepared to sell such a player to the likes of Arsenal or United. Mata is a huge fan-favourite at the Bridge and it wouldn’t go down too well if the ‘Special One’ sold him to a rival, not to mention the fact he’d strengthen one of his title-challengers.

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Do you think there’s any chance Chelsea will sell Mata? What player would you like your team to sign? Share your views below.