Matic holds key on return to Chelsea

Chelsea’s decision to sell Serbian midfielder Nemanja Matic to title rivals Manchester United raised more than a few eyebrows and the consequences may be felt when the sides clash in the Premier League on Sunday. 

Matic left the London club after three and a half years to re-join former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford. He has played every minute in the league since, helping United to second place in the table, five points behind Manchester City.

Mourinho’s capture of Matic is looking shrewder every week, prompting former United defender Phil Neville to say after Chelsea’s 3-0 Champions League drubbing at AS Roma this week that selling the Serb was the main reason why Chelsea are struggling defensively.