MX23RW : Friday, July 5 04:06:16| >> :120:36635:36635:

Reported Chelsea target Nemanja Matic refusing to play for Benfica?

A report in Portugal claims that Nemanja Matic is hoping not to play for Benfica against Porto to avoid injury ahead of his reported switch to Chelsea.

Nemanja Matic has reportedly told Benfica that he does not want to feature against Porto this evening, amid speculation that has linked him with a return to Chelsea.

The 25-year-old joined the Blues in 2009, but he made just three appearances before he was sold to his Portuguese employers in January 2011 as part of the deal that took David Luiz to Stamford Bridge.

However, recent rumours have suggested that manager Jose Mourinho is keen to re-sign Matic, with a £21m offer having been mooted.

As a result, the Serbian international is not keen to play in tonight's match to avoid any injury that could scupper a move back to West London, according to O Jogo.

Matic has made 21 appearances for club and country this season.

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Benfica's Nemanja Matic is congratulated by teammates after scoring his team's opening goal against Anderlecht during their Champions League group match on November 27, 2013
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