Perhaps this is why Jose Mourinho is regarded as one of the shrewdest tacticians in modern football. Mourinho’s decision to sell off Juan Mata to arch-rivals Manchester United has not only got the player’s discontent of being a substitute, but also has the tactical mastermind of Mourinho working behind it. And it is quite clear from the discontent shown by other teams for this mid-season transfer.
Mourinho sold off, although the whole process is yet to be finished, Mata to Manchester United at a time when Chelsea had finished playing both the matches against the Red Devils. While other big teams like Arsenal, Manchester City, who are strongly in contention for the title have their matches yet to be played against ManU. The addition of Mata will surely strengthen the United side that hasn’t fired at all this season. And this created a great amount of disappointment among the managers of these teams. Arsenal manger Arsene Wenger, on being asked whether he is surprised because of this move, said to the media, “Yes I am because Juan Mata is a great player and they sell a great player to a direct opponent.” “Chelsea had already played twice against Man United so they don’t play again anymore. They could have sold him last week but it opens up again questions about the dates of this transfer window. Some teams have already played twice against one opponent and some others not… I think if you want to respect the fairness for everybody exactly the same, that should not happen”, Wenger added. This again proves Mourinho’s greatness as a tactician, both on and off the field.
