Leboeuf: Mourinho was right to sell Mata

Former Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf believes Jose Mourinho was right to sell Juan Mata, revealing that he was not "a big fan" of the Spaniard.

The Spain international was a popular figure with Blues supporters during his near three-year stint at Stamford Bridge, but failed to nail down a regular first-team following the return of 'The Special One' last summer.

Mata duly completed a switch to reigning Premier League champions Manchester United in a €45 million deal during the January transfer window and while Mourinho's decision to part company with such an asset may have raised eyebrows among some supporters, Leboeuf believes it was the right call.

"I've never been a big fan of Juan Mata," the Frenchman told Perform. "I think he's a fantastic player [but] I think he doesn't suit English football.

"I guess Chelsea tried to find the new [Gianfranco] Zola. But Zola was much more powerful than Mata, and Mata is a little bit light.

"I think Mourinho realised that and that is why he bought Willian, because he has a little bit of Zola, not as big as Zola but strong, skilful and works really hard for the team and can defend.

"With [Eden] Hazard, Oscar and Willian, it is an armada. You don't know where to look, because you know you are going to struggle at some point."

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Manchester United to launch record-breaking bid for Juan Mata

Chelsea are preparing to receive a mammoth offer from Manchester United for Spanish midfielder Juan Mata.

According to widespread reports, summarised in the Guardian, David Moyes will put forward a formal offer for the Chelsea outcast ‘in the next couple of days’, an offer that could well shatter the club’s current transfer record.

A massive £37m is said to be the amount, with Moyes desperate to secure the attacker this month, but it will be up to Jose Mourinho to make the final decision on the Spaniard.

Mata has been marginalised by Mourinho this season, with the Portuguese preferring to utilise Oscar in the number 10 role behind the striker, while giving new signing Willian the freedom on the right flank. Eden Hazard, arguably Chelsea’s player of the season so far, has nailed down the left-wing spot.

Mourinho’s preference for the trio has seen Kevin De Bruyne depart the club this month to Wolfsburg, and now Manchester United are set to seriously test Chelsea’s resolve to keep Mata beyond the winter transfer window.

The club have firmly denied all speculation linking the reigning Chelsea Player of the Year with a January exit, but while the Blues may want to keep him, the 25-year-old has grown visibly more and more frustrated as the months have gone on.

After a particularly distressed reaction after being substituted against Southampton earlier in the month, it seemed as though it was only a matter of time until he left Stamford Bridge.

But Mourinho soon reiterated his desire to keep the player at the club,

Chelsea legend Michael Ballack sympathises with Mata, and cannot fathom why Mourinho has not given the playmaker a run in the side,

“I can’t understand why Mourinho is having trouble to get his best from his forwards and I think not playing Mata is a mistake.” said the former German captain (via the Daily Star)

United boss David Moyes is searching far and wide for midfield reinforcement, having seen his current crop come under intense criticisms for a lackluster first half of the season.

It remains to be seen whether Mourinho will go back on his word concerning Mata, but if the Spaniard specifically asks for a transfer, then the doors may well open for United to steal the player away.

What do you think? Should Chelsea sell Mata? Will the Spaniard want the move? Let us know in the comments below…

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Mourinho: No bids for Chelsea duo, not interested in Guarin

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho gave an update about transfer dealings during his press conference ahead of the Blues’ Premier League clash against Hull City.

The Blues are linked with players like Fredy Guarin and Jackson Martinez, while media speculated that players like Juan Mata and Michael Essien could leave the club. Further, speculations were rife about a possible transfer of midfielder Kevin De Bruyne while French media reported that star midfielder Eden Hazard might leave the club as well to join PSG.

The reports about Guarin has been doing the rounds for a while, with Inter Milan reportedly are holding out for a fee in the region of £15-18m. When asked about it, Mourinho replied that he is NOT interested in players like Guarin and Martinez.

Regarding De Bruyne’s future, Chelsea boss said that the club has received few proposals for the young Belgian and they’re analyzing it at the moment.

Juan Mata’s future has been speculated in the media as well. Mourinho said few days back that the door is open for Mata, though later reiterated that he doesn’t want the Spaniard to leave. Likewise, the Italian press reported in the morning that Essien is a target of AC Milan. The Serie A giants are looking to sign him on loan, and could enter into negotiations within few weeks. The Portuguese confirmed that no official bids have been received for both the players. Plus, he would not loan them either.

Hazard was linked with PSG in the morning, but Mourinho feels his value in the market would be crazy having signed the Belgian for around £40million.

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Mourinho : Juan Mata can leave if he wants

Jose Mourinho said that the door was “open” if Juan Mata wanted to discuss leaving, though he stressed his desire for the Spain winger not to walk through it.

With the January transfer window now open, Mata’s future at Chelsea was thrust back under the spotlight after he displayed frustration at being substituted 53 minutes into the eventual 3-0 win over Southampton.
Mata pushed the chair in the dugout and then appeared to be gesticulating angrily about the situation to André Schürrle, who was also taken off just eight minutes into the second half.

Mourinho claimed that Mata’s frustration would have been caused by the difficulty of breaking down a stubborn Southampton team.

He was then asked what he would do if the 25-year-old wanted to leave.

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Serie A giants interested for Mata

Inter keeping tabs on Mata


Inter are closely monitoring the situation of Chelsea's Juan Mata as they are looking to add some more creativity to their squad.

Juan Mata is not playing much from Mourinho has come and probably will try to not ruin his career by moving somewhere else.

Inter , 4th in Serie A this season , since new President come , is looking for possible Top player signings.

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Mourinho : Mata must play my way

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says Juan Mata must learn to play how he wants and become more consistent, if he is to regain his place in the first team.

The Portuguese left Mata out of the squad for the Blues’ Premier League match against Fulham, with Oscar and John Obi Mikel scoring in a 2-0 win.

Mourinho reiterated his desire for the Spain international to adapt his game and explained why he had not been included in the match-day squad.

"As a number 10 Oscar gives us creativity and he gives us ability to press up and defend," he told Sky Sports.

"Juan has to learn to play the way I want to play. He has to be more consistent, he has to be more participative when the team lose possession.

"I think it is not his fault, just the way he has played in recent years."

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