Mourinho’s return to Chelsea has been a nightmare for Juan Mata, who has nosedived from being the most important player at the club to being just a bench warmer – one who is selected in the match day squad just to make up the numbers. He has been cast away into the shadows of Eden Hazard, Oscar and Willian, who have all risen to prominence at Stamford Bridge.

Mata has clearly been treated poorly this season, which has understandably upset the Spaniard. There were several talks about him possibly quitting Chelsea in the current transfer window, and with a host of clubs from across Europe keeping tabs on the 25-year old, he would not have a problem finding his next destination. Mourinho has since come out and quashed rumors about a possible exit for the midfielder.

Despite this recent statement, there has been no improvement to this situation as Mata has been left to languish on the bench in Chelsea’s last two games, which has led to further speculation about his future. Mourinho has been forced to speak out on this subject once again as he said that Mata is vital to Chelsea’s plans, as reported by Metro.

He said, “The others [Oscar, Willian, Hazard], they are playing very well and the team is playing very well,”

“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.”

The role carved out for Mata sounds more like playing second fiddle to Hazard and co. Surely Mata will wish to move on if not in this window then in the summer which will be a crying shame. Only hopefully he does not join a club like Manchester United or Tottenham or any other rival.