As a matter of fact, we miss Matic
THIBAUT COURTOIS admits Chelsea are missing Nemanja Matic.
Former Manchester United defender Phil Neville accused the Blues of making one of the poorest decisions in the history of the Premier League by allowing Matic to leave for Old Trafford in the summer.
Ahead of Sunday’s reunion with the £40million man, who returns to Stamford Bridge with his new side, Courtois could do with him back.
The Chelsea goalkeeper said: “We know Nemanja’s qualities, he is someone who last year gave us the balance as well.
“Our midfield is very good, we have very strong players. But if you have two injuries in midfield, then of course you can say we miss Nemanja because he is another quality player and doing well in Manchester.”
And Chelsea do have two injuries in midfield having lost N’Golo Kante and Danny Drinkwater.
Matic has been hailed as the signing of the summer in some quarters for the way he has bossed the United pitch. Chelsea could have done with him against Roma, who blew them away 3-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday night in the absence of Kante.
At the same time Matic’s thunderous left-footer from distance came off the post and went in off the keeper in United’s 2-0 win over Benfica.
Kante remains a doubt for Sunday’s game with a hamstring injury and another midfielder, Danny Drinkwater, is not fit either.
Some Chelsea fans were surprised that Matic was allowed to join a title rival and Neville slammed the decision during his commentary on the Roma game for BBC Radio 5 Live here in Rome, where Chelsea conceded their 11th goal in six games.
He said: “What’s gone wrong for Chelsea? One word: Matic. It’s as simple as that. The minute they sold Nemanja Matic was a mistake.
“When you had Matic sat in front of you, alongside Kante, there was protection. Whoever made that decision needs sacking. That’s one of the poorest decisions I’ve ever seen in the Premier League.
“You replace him with someone who’s going to do the same job. Tiemoue Bakayoko is not that player. He’s not a holding midfield player. They didn’t replace Matic.
“I wouldn’t have let him out of the building. I’d have chained him to the training ground walls.”
Even the player himself cannot tell you why Chelsea let him go.
“I cannot say,” said Matic. “The only thing I can say is that I’m happy to be part of this club. I’m happy to work with Jose Mourinho. That’s all I can say.”
As for going back to take on Chelsea, Matic added: “I don’t know what reaction will be.
“I always gave 100 per cent and we won two titles and a cup. I’m sure they respect that but, if not, I don’t really care.” the