Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata returns to Stamford Bridge this afternoon for the first time since leaving the club to move to Old Trafford more than a year ago.
At the time of his transfer ,the Spaniard was finding it difficult to get a place in the team Jose Mourinho was putting together and despite the talk of him being cast out it was a brilliant move by the Portuguese boss to get £37.1 million for a player that had taken on a bit role at the club.
The reason Mourinho was able to sell at such a premium was because United manager David Moyes was struggling to keep his job hoping that a player with the skills of Mata could help turn around things around not only for the Red Devils but himself as well.
One thing is almost certain and that is while the 26-year-old midfielder may have no lost love for Mourinho Chelsea and its fans have played a big role in his life allowing him to win not only the Europa Cup but the Champions League as while being the Blues player of the year on two separate occasions.
The arrival of Jose Mourinho back at the club was the end for Mata as Mourinho did not like his lack of defensive qualities preferring instead to play Oscar, and while that worked for a while it is Oscar who now finds himself likely to follow Mata out the turnstile exit after falling foul of Mourinho.
One thing though is certain and that is that Mata will get a very warm welcome at the Bridge this afternoon, and should he prove to be the deciding factor in today’s game Chelsea fans must not be bitter knowing he was sold for a great price, but could have some complaints that it was to a rival club.
