5. One major injury to Willian, Oscar or Eden Hazard would leave Chelsea struggling.
Chelsea started this season with more attacking midfielders than they knew what to do with but Jose Mourinho has eased his selection headache by allowing Kevin De Bruyne and (presumably) Mata to depart this month. The sales have moved Chelsea from a position of strength, to an over-reliance on Eden Hazard, Oscar and Willian. With a host of promising youngsters including Bertrand Traore and Lucas Piazon on loan, the Blues have plenty of long-term options at attacking midfield but one injury to their starting triumvirate would see the disappointing Andre Schurrle as the only like-for-like replacement this term. Two injuries, which is not unthinkable, could see Mourinho pining for Mata.
4. Mata is a sublime player.
Since the start of the 2011/12 season, only David Silva has more Premier League assists than Juan Mata, who has been named Chelsea’s player of the season for previous two campaigns. Whatever Jose Mourinho’s thoughts on Mata, Chelsea are losing a sublime player, capable of single-handedly changing games, and vastly strengthening a Premier League rival.
3. Mata’s signing could persuade Wayne Rooney to stay at United.
Jose Mourinho has made no secret of his admiration for Wayne Rooney and Chelsea reportedly enquired about signing the disgruntled Manchester United striker in the summer. With Rooney stalling on signing a new deal at Old Trafford, Chelsea looked in pole position to land the England star in the summer. But there are already rumblings that Mata’s arrival could persuade Rooney to reconsider his desire to leave United and commit his future to the club. If that happened, selling the Spain international to United would be a double blow for Chelsea’s ambitions.
2. There would have been plenty of interest from abroad.
Regardless of whether Jose Mourinho believes Manchester United are a direct threat to Chelsea now or in the future, it is always better to sell your best players abroad. With PSG and AS Monaco boasting more money than they know what to do with and Atletico Madrid reportedly interested in signing Mata, Chelsea could surely have found an overseas taker for the disgruntled Spaniard and avoiding strengthening one of their direct rivals.
1. Mata could inspire Manchester United to a top four finish.
Jose Mourinho is right in thinking that Manchester United pose no threat to Chelsea this season. The two clubs have already met twice in the league and Mata will be cup-tied for the latter stages of the Champions League. Even a player of the Spaniard’s quality will not be enough to help United makeup a 12-point deficit on the league but David Moyes’ side trail fourth placed Liverpool by just six points – a gap that can be made up with a strong second half to the season.
If Mata inspires Manchester United to a top four finish, the Old Trafford club have all the tools to considerably strengthen next summer and mount a serious title challenge once again. Mourinho had a chance to kick United when they were down by blocking any move to Manchester for Mata. Instead, the Portuguese has handed his rivals a lifeline.
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