Juan Mata did not play for Chelsea against Manchester United last night due to injury, despite being named on the bench by Jose Mourinho, but the Special One has insisted that Mata has a future at Stamford Bridge despite being linked with a move away. Both Tottenham and Atletico Madrid are keen on Mata, whose place in the Chelsea squad could be at threat due to the arrival of Willian but a move to Spain seems less likely. Atletico boss Diego Simeone has played down rumours linking his side with a season-long loan deal for the former Valencia man, claiming ‘they pay too well in England’. Spurs looked set to bring in Willian but Chelsea snatched the Brazilian away despite completing a medical in North London first. Instead they will look to spend their expected £80m windfall from the imminent Gareth Bale transfer elsewhere, perhaps on Erik Lamela of Roma or Mata. Mata played 65 minutes on Tuesday against Aston Villa but has not featured in either of the club’s other two games this season due to what Mourinho called ‘a niggling injury’. Curiously, Mata had been linked with a move away earlier in the summer with speculation amounting about him being part of a deal to bring Wayne Rooney to Stamford Bridge. These rumours were quickly dispelled but it seems that there could be some truth in them with Atletico’s interest rising. Having represented Spain at the World Cup and European Championships, Mata will be desperate to make sure he is included in the squad for the forthcoming World Cup in Brazil and needs regular playing time to be assured of his place.
Posted on: Tue, 27 Aug 2013 16:27:06 +0000
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