Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has said that he still wants to keep Juan Mata at the club despite the Spaniard's lack of playing time this season.

The former Valencia midfielder reacted angrily when substituted during this afternoon's 3-0 win over Southampton, refusing to shake his manager's hand as he walked off the pitch.

Mourinho has started Mata in just nine Premier League games this season, but said that he is still a part of his plans at Stamford Bridge.

"I want to keep him," the Portuguese coach told reporters. "I don't want him to go. That is my opinion, my wish, but my door is open.

"The club's door is open too so when a player wants to speak to us we are there waiting for them. If you are asking do you want the club to sell him? I don't want to."

Mata, who has been the Blues' player of the year the past two seasons, arrived for a fee of £23.5m in 2011.

Written by
Michael Penkman