GettyChelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic has told new boss Antonio Conte that he wants to rejoin former manager Jose Mourinho at Manchester United.
The Serbian midfielder was outstanding after being brought back to Chelsea from Benfica by Mourinho, but was one of a number of woeful players during Chelsea’s poor 2015/16 season.
There were claims Matic and Mourinho had fallen out after the midfielder was substituted by his boss, just 27 minutes after coming on as sub during Chelsea’s defeat at Southampton last season, leading to Matic being called one of the ‘rats’ who cost Mourinho his job – a claim the midfielder said he and Mourinho laughed about in private.
But the 27-year-old was one of few who spoke out in support of the Portuguese manager before he was sacked, and now fancies working under him again, with Mourinho making no effort to hide how he feels about the left footed player he calls a ‘spider’ and saying Matic ‘would never have been allowed to leave Chelsea in the first place’ had he been the manager at the time.
GettyMourinho’s rebuilding has already started at Old Trafford, after the signing of Villarreal defender Eric Bailly earlier today.
The former Real Madrid boss will not waste time improving the United squad, as he looks to ship out some of those who aren’t good enough to be part of the Mourinho project – and we all know that a high quality defence is the main part of that.
Marouane Fellaini and Daley Blind could go, with Matic and Bailly coming in as replacements, as well as the predicted arrival of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
GettyNew Chelsea manager Conte has already held talks with other top stars including Eden Hazard and Diego Costa, whose futures are uncertain after a poor season, with Mourinho making it clear he would also like to link up with £60 million rated Willian – something the Blues are unwilling to sanction after the Brazilian’s excellent season.
Costa has been linked with a return to Atletico Madrid, while Hazard has made eyes at Paris Saint Germain again, noting if he leaves Chelsea, he ‘wants to leave like a boss’.
It’s going to be a busy summer…
