Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata has dismissed speculation linking him with a move back to Spain this summer.
In fact, the former Valencia man insists he has spoken to the club and boss Jose Mourinho about the matter and has been assured he still has a major part to play at Stamford Bridge.
“I’m relaxed about all the talk regarding my future. I’ve spoken to the both the club and the Coach and they told me I was important to them. That was good to hear,” he told Chelsea’s official website.
The Spanish international has spent little time training with new boss Mourinho in pre-season after his exertions in the Confederations Cup, yet he feels there are already plenty of reasons to be optimistic before the start of the new campaign.
“We are eager to start the season with him and are very excited about it. Jose did a great job here a few years ago and I think we can do it again.
“It’s great. Everyone wants to feel important. I’m very happy and enjoying training under the new Coach, so I hope to improve on the last two seasons.”
Mata believes the high intensity workouts on Chelsea’s current tour of the United States will prove beneficial come the first game against Hull City.
“Every Coach has his own way of doing things, but in terms of training intensity it has been high and it’s good to get that into our game.
“To play against Milan was good for me. The players who took part in the Confederations Cup needed minutes and with matches like this we will improve,” he concluded.
