There has been a lot of speculation about Juan Mata in the last few months. The Chelsea midfielder has been linked with a move from Stamford Bridge with the likes of Barcelona and Manchester United interested in his services. This looked like an extremely odd transfer rumour because Mata has been one of the best Chelsea players in the last two years. This is demonstrated by the successive Chelsea player of the year award that he has won since signing from Valencia for £ 24 million. He has been at his devastating best playing just behind the striker.

However, the coming season may see a change from this position for the 25-year-old because manager Mourinho has hinted that he would like to see the player play on the right wing. In the past, Mourinho has used players who are capable of playing in the hole – like Joe Cole – out on the wing. This has had a debatable impact, and it looks like Mata will also have to face the same fate. The 50-year-old Portuguese has said that he is a huge fan of left sided players playing on the right wing, which would allow them to cut in and create things.

Arjen Robben was also famously used on the right wing for Chelsea during his time at the club.

“Of course he fits into my plans. 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,” said Mourinho while discussing many other things like Drogba and Eden Hazard.