Jose Mourinho urges Kevin De Bruyne to follow Juan Mata’s lead

Jose Mourinho has urged Kevin De Bruyne to follow Juan Mata’s example and work hard to force his way back into Chelsea’s first team.

Much has been made about De Bruyne’s situation in recent weeks after he was left out of the Blues’ squad for their last two games against Tottenham and Steaua Bucharest after Mourinho criticised his display against Swindon in the League Cup.

The 22-year-old has started just two Premier League games for the west London club this season and has been linked with a return back to Werder Bremen, where he spent last season on loan.

De Bruyne was named in Belgium’s squad for their forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Croatia and Wales.

But Mourinho insists he has no problem with the call-up and wants the midfielder to follow Mata’s lead and work his way back into contention on merit.

“He’s an important player for them [Belgium],” said Mourinho.

“Normally national teams don’t have as many options as the big clubs have. The options for the national teams are quite limited. Kevin is very important for them and I’m happy he was selected.

“With us, the situation is a bit difficult because he’s from a pitch area where we have a lot of young talent that needs to develop and that needs some stability and confidence.

“But at the same time they have to understand that at this level, the competition is hard.

“Juan was in a difficult situation but he managed to understand what we needed from him.

“Kevin has to work. [He has] to come in may direction, I will go in his direction, too. He’s a very good player, his time will come.”