Chelsea transfers: Juan Mata has a role to play, insists Jose Mourinho

Jose Mourinho has insisted that Juan Mata does have a role to play in Chelsea’s Premier League title bid.

The Spain international didn’t feature in a 2-0 victory over Hull City at the KC Stadium on Saturday as he continues to be left on the bench by the Blues manager.

We need Mata, we need (Andre) Schurrle, we need these players as we cannot do it with three

Jose Mourinho

Mata’s first-team opportunities have been severely restricted this season, with the 25-year-old having been limited to just 11 Premier League starts.

But Mourinho has no intention of selling Mata, or summer signing Andre Schurrle, despite Oscar, Willian and Eden Hazard regularly occupying the attacking midfield roles.

“The others (Oscar, Willian, Eden Hazard), they are playing very well and the team is playing very well,” Mourinho said.

“But we need other players. If the game goes on being 0-0 then Mata is coming into the game as he is a fantastic player. But the game went into another direction, we scored and then after that my brain worked in another way.

“But we need them. We need Mata, we need (Andre) Schurrle, we need these players as we cannot do it with three.

“Maybe in February maybe some are not in the best form and Juan is coming at the top of his game.”