Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic has dropped a hint that he could be on the way out of the club this summer, after he refused to celebrate his goal against Sunderland on Saturday.
The Serbia international was one of the Blues’ best players during last season’s title-winning campaign, which led to widespread praise from pundits and experts alike.
The 27-year-old won more tackles (101) than any Premier League player last season, but like a number of his team-mates Matic has struggled to recreate that sort of form this campaign.
Jose Mourinho, who played a big role in transforming the former Benfica midfielder into the player he is today, also began to drop him from the team towards the end of his reign.
Matic has failed to rediscover his form despite Mourinho’s sacking in December, but he did score in the 3-2 defeat against Sunderland on the weekend.
However, Matic’s reaction to the goal – the central midfielder was rather plain-faced as Diego Costa looked to liven him up during the celebrations – has prompted plenty of question marks.
“I have my reasons,” Matic said after the game, as reported by the London Evening Standard.
“Everything can change in a couple of months.”
Matic has been heavily linked with a move to Juventus this summer, but the Daily Mail reported on Monday that Manchester United was also an option for him.
Mourinho has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford to replace the under-fire Louis van Gaal, with Matic keen to link up with the 53-year-old again, as per the aforementioned source.
COMMENTS