Mourinho pleased with Spaniard’s attitude in Swindon win.
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Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has hinted that out-of-favour midfielder Juan Mata could work his way back into his plans after his performance against Swindon in mid-week, according to Sky Sports.
The Spaniard has been a highly influential performer for the Blues over the last two seasons, though he has surprisingly found himself out of Mourinho’s first-team plans at the start of this season.
This has led to much speculation that Mata could be on his way out of Stamford Bridge in January, with a long list of top European clubs looking to make the most of his possible availability.
However, the 25-year-old was recalled into the Chelsea starting lineup in Tuesday’s Capital One Cup tie against Swindon Town, and impressed his manager with both his performance and his attitude.
Mourinho has now hinted that Mata is likely to become a more regular feature in his sides in the near future, saying: “I liked the way Juan Mata played against Swindon. His attitude is very good and his effort was good.
“When in a player makes an effort to come in my direction then I go to him as well. I can imagine from now him working into my way of thinking and I think the natural tendency will for him to be in the team.”
Mata first joined Chelsea from Valencia in 2011, and his former club are one of many who could be waiting in the wings if he still decides to leave the club in January, as he will want to be guaranteed regular first-team football to put himself in contention for a place in Spain’s World Cup squad.