According to reports in the British tabloid newspaper the Daily Express, the arrival of attacking midfielder Willian from Anzhi Makhachkala makes Spanish international Juan Mata surplus to requirements.
Despite being Chelsea player of the year last season there has been speculation since the arrival of Jose Mourinho back at Stamford Bridge that both Mata and Brazilian defender David Luiz did not fit into the Portuguese managers game plans.
In fact during an interview with American magazine Sports Illustrated if you read between the lines of what Mourinho says you get the feeling that he would be happy to see both players leave.
SI: Do Juan Mata and David Luiz fit the style of play you want to have here?
Mourinho: Good players always fit. But we need to go in the same direction. I can open the door for them to influence me in my way of thinking and my way of looking at them, and they have to open their door, to be open to the changes I want from them.
Mourinho’s first move since being back was to bring in winger Andre Schurrle from Bayer Leverkusen, and then hand a place in the first team to Kevin De Bruyne who had an excellent year while on loan to Bundesliga outfit Werder Bremen.
The arrival of Willian will see him play alongside Eden Hazard and Oscar in the starting line-up making it difficult for Mata to get into the team.
Mourinho has said that his number one summer target is Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney, and having already had two offers rejected by United has said he is preparing a third bid which he will present following the match between the two teams at Old Trafford on Monday night.
If the offer was to include Juan Mata and cash for Rooney I think Manchester United would accept it, while at the same time it would also be a deal that both of the players would be happy with.
We will just have to wait till Monday night and see what happens.
With the Blues spoiled for choice in the attacking midfield department with the likes of Eden Hazard and Oscar also competing for places, there may be little room for Mata now with the further arrival of Willian.
Willian, who can also play upfront, looks set to choose a move to Chelsea over Tottenham, despite being close to sealing a switch to White Hart Lane for the last few days.
One possible destination for Mata could be Manchester United, with Chelsea also said to be keen to use the Spaniard as part of a deal to land long-term target Wayne Rooney.
