‘I want to keep Mata, but…’

Jose Mourinho has commented that he hopes to keep hold of Juan Mata, but that he can leave Chelsea this winter if he wants to.

The Spain international has endured an indifferent six months under the Portuguese at Stamford Bridge and has been linked with a move away this January, on from similar speculation last summer.

Former club Valencia are linked with a loan bid, should Peter Lim’s attempted takeover be completed by a set deadline of January 15, whilst Atletico Madrid have also been paired with a similar effort.

Serie A outfit Inter are also linked with making a permanent move for the 25-year-old.

On from the player’s poor reaction to being substituted on New Year’s Day against Southampton, Mourinho was asked if the playmaker could be on his way out of the London club.

“I want to keep him. I don't want him to go. That is my opinion, my wish, but my door is open,” the manager has responded.

“The club's door is open too so when a player wants to speak to us we are there waiting for them.

“If you are asking do you want the club to sell him? I don't want to.”

Tags Chelsea Inter Mata
La Liga - Club News