 |
| Trudging off: Juan Mata was replaced by Oscar in the 53rd minute with the score goalless at St Mary's |
Jose Mourinho has told Juan Mata he can quit Chelsea after his furious reaction to today’s 53rd minute substitution at St Mary's.
Mata
ignored Mourinho when he walked off the pitch at Southampton and then
slammed a seat in the visiting team dug out as he vented his
frustrations.
His replacement Oscar, who was booked for diving, then made two and scored one in Chelsea’s comprehensive 3-0 victory.
Concerned glances: Michael Essien (top row, centre) consoles the apoplectic Spaniard on the bench
Mata has won the club’s player of the year award for the past two seasons and was named in the PFA team of the year for 2012/13.
But Mourinho has now indicated that he will not stand in the Spaniard's way if he wants to leave Stamford Bridge.
Mourinho,
clearly aware of his player's unhappiness, said: ‘I don’t want him to
go, that is my opinion and that is my wish - but my door is open.
‘The
club door is open too, so when a player wants to speak with us we are
there waiting for them. But if you ask me do I want to sell him, I don’t
want to.
Livid: Mata was frustrated at being hauled off and appeared to launch a tirade in the direction of the pitch
Fuming: Mata was seen scowling on the touchlines following his substitution
‘I didn't see the reaction, his frustration was because of the result - we have to win.
‘If
we don’t win this game then the difference to the leaders is bigger. at
the end of the game everyone including him it was celebrating the
victory.’
End of an era? Mata joined Chelsea from Valencia
in 2011 and has won the Champions League, the Europa League and the FA
Cup with the club
That's the way to do it: Oscar came on for Mata and inspired Chelsea to a crucial away win
