Spanish international Juan Mata says that he is very happy at Chelsea and was never worried when new coach Jose Mourinho arrived, and there was talk of him being transferred.
Mata was Chelsea’s player of the year last season, yet following the special ones arrival there was talk of him being sold to Manchester United in a move to land England international Wayne Rooney.
Mata has since discussed the situation with the Portuguese coach, and has been told that he still has a big role to play with the west London club.
“I was relaxed about the speculation because I spoke to the club and the manager, who said I was important to them. That was good to hear,” Mata is quoted in several newspapers.
He later said on the clubs official website: “We’re really looking forward to starting the season with him and we are all excited about it. Jose did a really great job here a few years ago and I think that we can do it again.
“It’s very good, everyone wants to feel important for the club, I feel it, I’m very happy and enjoying training with the new manager, and I hope I can improve on the last two seasons.”
Mata was given some time off following playing for Spain in the Confederations Cup in Brazil, but has since joined up with his teammates in America playing a part in the game against AC Milan, and will probably feature in tomorrow’s clash with Mourinho’s old club Real Madrid in Miami.
“Playing against AC was good for me,” he continued. “The players who were in the Confederations Cup need minutes, and with games like this it’s better for us.
“Each manager has his own kind of work, but in terms of intensity the training has been high and I think it’s really good to get the intensity into our game.”
