Matas' performance suggests Mourinho re-think

Steve Holland Chelsea assistant first-team coach hailed Juan Mata for a stunning performance that saw Chelsea defeat of Swindon by 2-0 to reach the fourth round of the Capital One Cup.

Much of the pre-match focus was on Mata after manager Jose Mourinho omitted the World-Cup winning Spaniard, along with David Luiz, from his matchday 18 for Saturday's 2-0 victory over Fulham.

 Mourinho insists Mata does have a future at the club but has challenged him to adapt his game and the midfielder, restored to the starting XI at the County Ground, responded in impressive fashion with an industrious performance.

Having provided a defence-splitting pass for Fernando Torres minutes earlier, Mata came close to a goal himself but saw his shot parried into the path of his compatriot, who this time opened the scoring.

Substitute Ramires added a second soon after as the Blues did enough against a gutsy Swindon side.

“Obviously a lot has been made of the Mata situation because he's a high-profile player," said Holland, who also revealed Marko van Ginkel suffered a potentially serious knee injury and Ramires a hip problem.

“The message to all of our attacking players from Jose from day one has been they need to contribute offensively in terms of their production and of course they have to contribute out of possession and defend.

'That's been the challenge not just to Juan but all of our attacking players.

'In Juan's case, if you look at his performance here, he made Fernando's chance and was involved in the goal.

“And then in injury time he's conceded the final corner of the game supporting Ryan Bertrand in the left-back spot, which is how he was all night.”

Holland added: 'Tonight, for sure, we're very, very pleased with Juan's contribution with and without the ball.'

'The message to all of our attacking players from Jose from day one has been they need to contribute offensively in terms of their production and of course they have to contribute out of possession and defend.

'That's been the challenge not just to Juan but all of our attacking players.