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Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho stresses Juan Mata is in his first-team plans
CHELSEA boss Jose Mourinho has tried to quash speculation about Juan Mata's future by saying the Spaniard is in his first-team plans.
The twinkle-toed winger was in exceptional form last season as he helped the Blues finish in the top four and lift the Europa League.
He was the subject of a £20m part-swap deal involving Manchester United's Wayne Rooney but Chelsea angrily denied the claims.
Chelsea are thought to have opened talks to offer Mata a new deal in a bid to dissuade suitors, including Barcelona.
And Mourinho has once again stressed that Mata will be a fundamental part of his first-team plans next season.
"Of course he fits into my plans," Mourinho said.
"I have my idea about him, about where he produces better and where he has more difficulty.
"We will try to help him perform better in those situations. I've always liked a right-sided player to be left-footed.
"I started with (Arjen) Robben and (Damien) Duff, then (Goran) Pandev at Inter, and (Angel) Di Maria and (Mesut) Ozil. Many clubs do it. It's more than a tendency.
"I like wingers coming in on the inside for the penetrative movement, for the pass, for the shot. And Juan is the only player we have to do that on the right.
"On the left we have (Eden) Hazard, Victor Moses, Kevin De Bruyne, Andre Schurrle. Juan is also very comfortable playing as a No10. In between these two positions, he has a lot to give to the team."
Mata hit 12 Premier League goals last season.