The Spanish international, Juan Mata arrived at Stamford Bridge two seasons ago from La Liga outfit Valencia. He immediately took the English league by storm as he easily slot into the Chelsea team and over time, became the fulcrum of their attack.

In his two seasons with the Blues, he managed to rack up very impressive figures and was named Chelsea’s Player of the Year on both the occasions. This was before Jose Mourinho was at the club. After the return of the Portuguese manager, Mata has found himself down the pecking order. He has lost his place in the starting 11 to young summer signings Kevin De Bruyne and Andre Schurrle.

He has failed to feature regularly for Chelsea this term so far, which has given rise to rumors suggesting that perhaps Mata has surprisingly become surplus to requirements at the club. The likes of Atletico Madrid and former team Valencia have been linked with a possible move, along with fellow English clubs Arsenal, Spurs and Manchester United.

Though no deal was struck in the recently closed transfer window, the speculation stating his unhappiness at the club has refused to die down. Mata has therefore come out in the open and has attempted to put an end to the reports circulating by stating that he is happy at the club despite his recent troubles, and is not looking at the exit door at Chelsea.

ESPNFC quoted him as saying, “I think it’s normal in every transfer window that there are lots of rumours, but I’m happy here,”

“It’s been a very, very good two seasons for me here, maybe the best of my career, and what I want this season is the same.

“I’m looking forward to achieving as many trophies as we did the last two seasons, and hopefully this is going to be a good season for us again.”

With the 25-year old making it very clear about his intentions of staying put, will this be the end of this seemingly ridiculous transfer rumor once and for all? Well let’s hope so but if Mourinho does not start selecting Mata to play then the rumors will persist and Mata will get frustrated and the press will have a feeding frenzy and Mata might get seriously tired of it all of and do what we all dread and want to leave the club.

I think it is a case of the sooner Mata starts playing regularly the better for everyone involved but most importantly the team’s results and performances.