Back to drawing board for Mata

Playmaker Juan Mata believes Chelsea ‘have to start again’ following the dismissal of Andre Villas-Boas to salvage their season.

The Portuguese manager was shown the door with just nine months at Stamford Bridge under his belt after Saturday’s 1-0 defeat against West Brom.

With former assistant Roberto Di Matteo being promoted into the 34-year-old’s position, Mata now believes it is time for a fresh start in an attempt to kick start Chelsea’s campaign.

Speaking to Chelsea TV on Monday, Mata said: “I think we have to start again, we are not in a good moment.”

“We are not in a good run of results but we all want to change it. I think we are ready to change.”

Chelsea face a testing end to the season with a FA Cup replay against Birmingham City on Tuesday, followed by a battle to claim a top four spot in the Premier League and an uphill struggle against Napoli in the Champions League, after trailing 3-1 from the first leg.

Nonetheless, Spanish international Mata believes that, despite their problematic situation after a run of just three wins in 12 league matches and the sacking of Villas-Boas, Chelsea still have the quality to end the campaign on a high.

“We have a very good squad and we have two months to achieve our objectives in the Premier League, in the FA Cup and Champions League,” Mata said.