Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas has admitted that he was surprised when he heard that Jose Mourinho was going to be dropping Juan Mata from his starting line-up.
The Spaniard was one of Chelsea’s best players last season and is a real fan-favourite at Stamford Bridge, but that hasn’t stopped Mourinho from keeping him in the stands for gamedays.
Villas-Boas was the man who brought Mata to England from Valencia and ahead of the club’s clash at the weekend, the Spurs manager has admitted that he was surprised to see the Spaniard get dropped.
“It’s not my decision to pick or not pick Mata, it was before,” he said.
“He was always involved in my starting XI, I have always enjoyed a great personal and professional relationship with Juan Mata but it’s not my decision anymore.
“I suppose the time that he’s not being given now, with the talent that he has he will overcome it and jump back into the team because he is that player, that special.”
Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt
