Report
coming in indicates that Chelsea duo of Juan Mata and Cesar Azpilicueta are
both eager to leave the club in January, as they grow increasingly frustrated
at a lack of first-team opportunities this season, according to Spanish media Marca.
The Spanish publication says that the pair
want to be placed on the transfer list, in order to leave west London when the
window reopens in the New Year. With the 2014 World Cup in Brazil on the
horizon, Mata and Azpilicueta will both want to impress Spain national team
boss Vicente del Bosque, and neither feel that they are currently getting
enough playing time at Stamford Bridge to warrant inclusion in the 23-man
squad.
Jose Mourinho will
be determined to keep hold of both players, but with competition for places in
the Chelsea midfield at an all-time high, he has not been able to guarantee
Mata a starting berth, despite the fact he is a firm fans' favourite, after
being voted player of the year in each of the past two seasons.
Azpilicueta's action has been
restricted even further, with just the solitary substitute appearance for the
Blues in 2013/14, as Branislav Ivanovic continues to maintain the right-back
role in Mourinho's defence.
