Chelsea star Juan Mata has dismissed the speculation that he could be jettisoned from the club by new manager, Jose Mourinho.
Soon after Mourinho was appointed Chelsea manager for the second time, reports emerged that he deemed Mata surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge.
But Mata is generally thought to have been Chelsea’s classiest player for the past two seasons, after his seamless transfer to the Premier League from Valencia.
He scored 19 goals and registered 35 assists for the Blues last season, on his way to collecting his second consecutive Player of the Season award at the club.
And so it defies logic that The Special One could even think about letting Mata go.
Mata himself is mystified as to where the reports of his possible departure emerged from.
He says that Chelsea recognise that he is “an important player” for them, and that he is looking forward to working under Mourinho.
Asked by AS about the rumours that Mou does not want him, Mata said from Spain’s Confederations Cup camp: “I do not know.
“Mourinho will want to see everyone and make his judgements. From the club, the last time I spoke with them, they communicated confidence and told me that I was a very important player.”
“At the moment I am focused here, in winning the tournament,” he added.
“To judge people you have to know them. After the holidays and a rest I will meet the new boss and I am sure things will go well.”