Juan Mata looks set to stay at Chelsea — at least until the end of the season — despite his angry reaction to being substituted at Southampton.
Mata is not satisfied with his role on the fringes of the team but is not prepared to be forced out.
His representatives are understood to have called Chelsea yesterday, concerned that Jose Mourinho’s remarks that the ‘door was open’ after the game on New Year’s Day was part of a plan to create a market.
Mata has a contract until 2016 and although proposed talks to discuss an extension are now off the agenda, a move this month seems unlikely.
Inter Milan are interested — and a move to Serie A or back to Spain does appeal to Mata — but the Italian club lack the cash to tempt Chelsea into selling a player Mourinho would prefer to keep in his squad.
Only a big-money offer will prompt a January sale, yet Mata’s long-term future at the club seems bleaker than ever, especially as Chelsea must generate funds if they are to launch a summer recruitment drive. – Daily Mail