Chelsea attacker Juan Mata has ended all speculation over his future by claiming definitively that he will be at the club for many years to come.
"I think it's normal in every transfer window that there are lots of rumours, but I'm happy here," ESPN quoted him as saying. "It's been a very, very good two seasons for me here, maybe the best of my career, and what I want this season is the same."
After being Chelsea's star performer for the past two seasons, the player has found himself on the bench early this campaign. The lack of playing time has led to suggestions that Jose Mourinho does not consider the Spaniard as essential to plans. Mata however insisted that his aim is to be successful at Chelsea.
"I'm looking forward to achieving as many trophies as we did the last two seasons, and hopefully this is going to be a good season for us again," he explained.
It remains to be seen whether Mourinho will grant the player more time on the field. For now however, Mata is committed to more success in London.
"These two seasons have flown by," he said, adding, "but to me this is good because, when you are enjoying things and you are happy, time goes quicker"
"I had four weeks off [before pre-season training] and to be honest that's too much time for me, because in the last five or six years I didn't have this sort of rest," Mata continued. "But I've had plenty of rest and now I'm feeling really good. The best thing for me is to play because I love to play."
With the World Cup scheduled to begin next summer, Mata will be keen to ensure he is in the Spain squad. In order to do so, he will need to play regularly.
"My only aim is to play here, grow as a player and do as good a season as the last two which were amazing for me," he concluded.
