Juan Mata Reveals Jose Mourinho Talks Regarding Chelsea Future

Chelsea playmaker Juan Mata sought clarification from manager Jose Mourinho over his future after being linked with moves away from Stamford Bridge.

Mata scooped the Blues' Player of the Year award after scoring 20 goals and making 28 assists during the 2012/13 campaign as the club claiming the Europa League and finished third in the Premier League.

But following the confirmation of Mourinho's return to Chelsea for a second spell in charge, reports had suggested that Mata had fallen out with the Portuguese boss and that La Liga champions Barcelona would therefore be interested in signing the Spaniard.

Manchester United then briefed media during their pre-season Far East tour suggesting Chelsea had submitted a £20m offer for striker Wayne Rooney plus either Mata or defender David Luiz, swelling suggestions the former Valencia man was surplus to requirements in west London.

The club, Mata and Mourinho have moved to quell such speculation claiming the player will be crucial for Chelsea during the coming campaign.

And Mata has revealed that he sought an explanation over his future during a conversation with Mourinho following a spate of media reports intimating he may not be part of the Portuguese manager's plans.

"I was so relaxed about all the speculation about me leaving," he said. "I spoke to the club and spoke to the manager who said I was very important to them. So there's nothing to say about it.

"It's always very good to hear you are important to the club. Everyone wants to feel they are important.

"So I'm very happy. I'm training with the new manager and we want to improve on last season."

Upon being questioned over the possibility of either Mata and Luis being part-exchanged for Rooney during the summer transfer window, Mourinho there was "no chance" Chelsea were considering such a deal.

Mata played a key role for Chelsea last year and is expected to prove crucial again as the club seek to bridge the gap to the Manchester clubs and Mourinho has wasted little time explaining how he wishes to use the diminutive schemer this season.

"I like very much a right-sided player to be left-footed," Mourinho said. "I started with [Arjen] Robben and [Damien] Duff and I kept that going at Inter with [Goran] Pandev and at Real Madrid with [Angel] De Maria and [Mesut] Ozil.

"I like the wingers to come inside, and on the left we have a lot - [Eden] Hazard, [Victor] Moses, [Kevin] De Bruyne.

"Juan is the only player we have to do that on the right, but I also think he is very comfortable playing a No.10 role - so between these two positions he has a lot to give to the team."