Jose Mourinho: Juan Mata going nowhere

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has stressed that midfielder Juan Mata is a key part of his plans and will not be sold.

Christain Benteke of Aston Villa is challenged by Juan Mata of Chelsea during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on August 21, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images)

The Spanish midfielder has been an integral part of the Blues since arriving from Valencia in 2011, but there has been speculation linking him away from Stamford Bridge this summer.

Mourinho has a vast array of talent at his disposal in midfield and Chelsea’s £30 milion bid for Anzhi’s Willian has fuelled speculation that Mata will be sold.

Mata was on the bench for the entire duration of Monday’s goalless draw at Old Trafford, but Mourinho insisted after the match that all rumours of his departure were false.

“He is very important for me and very important for Chelsea,” Mourinho was quoted as saying.

“The stories that are coming out are nonsense stories. He goes nowhere.”

Fresh rumours suggest that Tottenham Hotspur may make a grab for him with the imminent departure of Gareth Bale drawing closer. Atletico Madrid have also expressed interest in the play-maker.

Atletico president Enrique Cerezo is a long time admirer of Mata, but distanced himself from any transfer being made owing to the player’s high price tag.

“Mata is a good player but he’s playing in the Premier League and over there they pay a lot,” Cerezo is quoted as saying in The Sun.