Chelsea Transfers: The Door Is Open For Mata To Leave Says Mourinho

Juan Mata’s problems with Chelsea creeps up once again. Wednesday’s match against Southampton saw the Spaniard being substituted just after 50 minutes despite playing to his potential. With the January window being open, could that be the last game that Mata plays in a Blues shirt?

Of course you can argue that Mourinho’s substitution was a tactical one and the Blues went on to win the game comfortably, but has the Special One made it too hard for Mata? Certainly his reactions after being taken off shows that he was frustrated to leave the pitch.

Mourinho saw no issue with Juan Mata’s reaction when he was substituted. Quoted by the Independent, Mourinho was reported as saying: 

 “I didn’t see. I think his frustration was because we know we have to win.

“If we don’t win this game the difference to the leaders is bigger. When he comes off the team is losing two points.

“I think his frustration is about that because at the end of the game everybody was happy in the dressing-room and everybody was celebrating the victory.”

With the Worldcup due in another six months and from being the club’s best player for the past two seasons to being subbed off at crucial times and losing his place to a youngster has made Mata’s life in the Premier League all the more unsettling.

As a result, Mourinho said in his post match press conference;

“I want to keep him, I want to keep him, I don’t want him to go,” Mourinho said.

“That’s my opinion, my wish. But my door is open and the club’s door is open too.

“When a player wants to speak with us, we are there waiting, waiting for them. But if you ask me, ‘Do I want the club to sell him?’ I don’t.

“I don’t want Juan to leave”, but also added; “if he does though, the door is open.” The exit door that is.

This puts us in some situation. Juan Mata earlier this season had said that he wants to stay and fight for a place despite the rumours linking him with several clubs.