Why Losing Juan Mata in Rooney Deal Would Be Jose Mourinho's Biggest Mistake

When Roman Abramovich took control of Chelsea Football Club in 2003 with a £140 million takeover, joy swept around Stamford Bridge like a rapid tidal wave. 

The club was saved from crippling debts and now had the funds to go out and buy almost any player they wanted. But it came at a price for the Blues fans, who weren't fully aware of what the Russian's arrival meant for the squad.

As it turned out, their hero, Italian maestro Gianfranco Zola, announced he was departing Stamford Bridge after seven glorious years at the club, and returned to Italy with Serie A outfit Cagliari. Abramovich pleaded with him to stay, but it was the right time to move on. 

The likes of Adrian Mutu, Hernan Crespo and Tiago all followed, but no player could fill the void left by the Italian. Then, after eight years without a replacement for Zola, then-Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas swooped to sign Juan Mata from Valencia from under the noses of London rivals Arsenal in a £26 million deal.

And just like that, the bearded genius started to create a new beginning on Kings Road.

Everybody knew that Mata was a quality player. After all, a club does not pay a fee as high as that for an average individual. But only a small minority could envisage how much of an impact the Spanish international could make in his debut season. After settling in quickly, he scored 12 goals and made 23 assists as Chelsea went on to rescue their season with Roberto Di Matteo at the helm. 

But his most crucial moment will never be forgotten by the supporters. Mata delivered the pinpoint corner for Didier Drogba, who then powered his header past Manuel Neuer in the Champions League final which the West London club went on to win on penalties.

Again, no-one believed that the playmaker could top that debut season. But again, after another disappointing start by Chelsea, Mata was the shining light who continued to deliver the goods. Last season, he somehow managed 20 goals with a whopping 35 created for his teammates.

But when news emerged on Wednesday that new Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho was willing to offer £10 million and include Mata in a deal that would see Wayne Rooney join Chelsea from Manchester United, per The Daily Mail, fans started to panic. And rightly so.

It wasn't so much to do with Rooney's arrival, but rather they were anxious about the club's willingness to let the 25-year-old join their fierce title rivals.

If anything, Chelsea should look at how Manchester United capitalised on Arsenal's mistake to let Robin van Persie join them last summer in a £24 million deal.

Of course, it was a large fee for a player in the final year of his contract, but the Dutchman's arrival was crucial to them winning the title.

Arsenal, meanwhile, struggled to finish in the top four, only securing the position on the final day of the season. Imagining what a Manchester United side with van Persie, Mata and co. can do is frightening enough, and Chelsea cannot let it happen.

The distinction between van Persie's transfer and a possible deal for Rooney is that Mata's contract still has five years to run, after signing an extension back in December.

So why is Mourinho considering selling his star player?

Arguably, it could be a huge mistake given that, at the present time, Rooney is inferior to the former Valencia man.

Although Mata played many more games in the previous campaign, he scored more goals in all competitions than Rooney last season, and for a player who prides himself on scoring and creating goals, you would have to say the Spaniard is the more lucrative option.

A small, diminutive playmaker with an abundance of vision and the ability to execute passes of all kinds, Mata is the focal point of the Chelsea team. The play centres around him, and if he has an off game, so do Chelsea.

To replace him with Rooney, who enjoys a similar role at Manchester United, would be nonsensical. Even more so, when you consider the England international turns 28 in October, while Mata only had his 25th birthday earlier this year.

Rooney would be a quality addition to Chelsea and, admittedly, one which could give them the edge in the title race this year. But if it means losing Mata as a result, the Blues should be advised to look elsewhere.

Of course, we all understand that Mourinho has experienced a few fall-outs with some key Spanish players recently, with the breakdown in the relationship between the 50-year-old and Real Madrid icon Iker Casillas very much publicised, per The Daily Mail. 

But he hasn't actually met Mata since taking over as Chelsea boss. So to think that he would have fallen out with the world-class midfielder already is unthinkable. 

Mourinho said that he wanted to "return to the place where he was loved", per BBC Sport, and there is no doubt he is a cult figure at the club. So to think he would show Mata the exit would be a massive gamble, putting his popularity on the line.

His new boss Abramovich felt the wrath when Zola left, and if Mourinho decides to let Juan Mata depart, it could be one of the most regrettable moments of his managerial career.