What’s next for Juan Mata?

Juan Mata of Chelsea in action as manager Jose Mourinho looks on during the Chelsea training session at Eden Stadium on August 29, 2013 in Prague, Czech Republic. (Getty Images)

Last season’s standout midfielder, Juan Mata, seems to be out-of-favour with ‘The Happy One’ Jose Mourinho. It seems very likely that he’ll be shipped off before deadline day, this Monday. But where, to whom and why?

Manchester United have been linked with the Spaniard over the course of the summer; the press had made it sound as though a deal was done for a Wayne Rooney/Mata switch between the two Premier League giants. However, that never materialised and recently Mourinho decided that he won’t be bringing star striker to London this summer.

Mourinho certainly isn’t short of attacking midfielders but he could have done with Rooney as their front man as Fernando Torres has struggled ever since his £50 million move from Liverpool, Romelu Lukaku is still young and Demba Ba isn’t quite Chelsea standard. With Mourinho signing three-time Champions League winner, Samuel Eto’o, he may have found a striker for the season.

Mata would certainly be the perfect man for United; or any side for a matter of fact. He would would give United that extra edge and touch of flair. But would Chelsea give away their ‘2012/13 Player of the Year‘ to their Championship rivals? They would certainly get a nice lump of cash for him.

London-rivals Arsenal and big-spenders Tottenham Hotspur are both ready to swoop for the wanted man. The Blues would almost certainly bring in anything around £40 million, but do they really need the cash? I don’t think so.

Honestly, I would love to see Mata stay in the Premier League, but if Mourinho is going to sell him he would be stupid to give him away to United, Spurs or Arsenal. I’m still coming to terms with the fact Mourinho isn’t too keen on playing him, for some reason.

Mourinho had said a few days ago that he isn’t going anywhere, however, that has been said in the past and deals have been done. I’d love to see Mata play at least one more season in the blue of Chelsea in what is set to be a cracking season at the top of the Premier League.