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Frank Leboeuf: 'Chelsea were right to sell Juan Mata'

Frank Leboeuf claims that Jose Mourinho made the correct decision to allow Juan Mata to leave Chelsea.

Former Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf has insisted that the club were right to sell Juan Mata to Manchester United in the January transfer window.

Despite being a key player for Chelsea since his arrival at Stamford Bridge, Jose Mourinho decided that Mata's time was finished at the club and sanctioned a £37m sale to United.

Lebouef has backed Mourinho's decision by claiming that Mata did not suit the style of football played by Chelsea.

"I've never been a big fan of Juan Mata," Leboeuf told Perform. "I think he's a fantastic player [but] I think he doesn't suit English football.

"I guess Chelsea tried to find the new [Gianfranco] Zola. But Zola was much more powerful than Mata, and Mata is a little bit light."

Mata spent over two years at Chelsea following his move from Valencia.

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Chelsea's Belgian midfielder Eden Hazard celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's first goal during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Cardiff City at Stamford Bridge in west London on October 19, 2013
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