Chelsea transfers: Mata can leave if he wants to, says Mourinho

Jose Mourinho has told Juan Mata that the door is open for him to leave Chelsea in the January transfer window if he wants to.

The Spain international has found his first-team opportunities limited under Mourinho this season, with the 25-year-old starting just 11 league games so far.

Mata was brought off early in the second half of Chelsea’s 3-0 win over Southampton on Wednesday and flung his arms in the air in frustration as he took his seat in the dugout.

The club’s door is open too so when a player wants to speak to us we are there waiting for them

Jose Mourinho

And although Mourinho is keen to keep hold of the playmaker, he admits the door is open if he wants to leave.

“I want to keep him. I don’t want him to go. That is my opinion, my wish, but my door is open,” said Mourinho.

“The club’s door is open too so when a player wants to speak to us we are there waiting for them.

“If you are asking do you want the club to sell him? I don’t want to.”

Asked about Mata’s reaction after being substituted, Mourinho replied: “I didn’t see the reaction, his frustration was because of the result – we have to win.

“If we don’t win this game then the difference to the leaders is bigger. At the end of the game everyone including him it was celebrating the victory.”