Mourinho rubbishes Mata rumors

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has brushed aside rumors linking Spain midfielder Juan Mata with a move away from Stamford Bridge and hinted at a new role for the player next season.

There has been specuation about Mata's future at the London club but the Portuguese has reaffirmed his plans to keep him. Chelsea were reported to have offered the former Valencia star in exchange for Wayne Rooney to Manchester United but the club quickly released a statement rubbishing all such claims.


The new Chelsea boss told the media that he is very eager to keep Mata at the club and has a new role for the midfielder next season.


"Of course he fits into my plans," Mourinho said. "I have my idea about him, about where he produces better and where he has more difficulty.


"We will try to help him perform better in those situations. I've always liked a right-sided player to be left-footed.


"I like wingers coming in on the inside for the penetrative movement, for the pass, for the shot. And Juan is the only player we have to do that on the right.


"On the left we have (Eden) Hazard, Victor Moses, Kevin De Bruyne, Andre Schurrle. Juan is also very comfortable playing as a No10. In between these two positions, he has a lot to give to the team."